Saturday, October 5, 2013

shifting pattern... (am.05.oct.13)>

A gorgeous Saturday morning is dawning, with 100% clear skies.  Here on Tushita Road just below the Mountaineering Center, I have a temp of 61F (16C) with 85% humidity as the sun starts to peek over the Dhauladhars.  There has been no rain overnight, and only a trace during the past 24 hours -- though there were apparently some measurable amounts in scattered spots yesterday afternoon.

I'm not sure yet how much tangible benefit we'll get, but there are continued signs of some changes in the weather pattern over the course of the coming several days.  Although there is still much more moisture than normal for this time of year in the lower levels of the atmosphere, it has been drying out in the upper levels.  During the next day or two computer models are projecting a very strong ridge of high pressure to form west-to-east across the Himalayas, from northern Pakistan into Nepal and Tibet.  Although such a strong high pressure area should stabilize the atmosphere, this leftover surface moisture isn't going to be pushed out -- which means that development of clouds and fog should remain likely, especially from the mid-day into the evening hours.

I don't feel comfortable completely removing the risk of scattered rain showers from the forecast, considering our recent track record, and of course our mountain micro-climate effects.  Let's just take it a step at a time and see what effect this shifting pattern will have on us in the coming days.

CURRENT FORECAST details and other info can be found on tabs at the top of the page.