Sunday, February 22, 2015

spring tease... (am.22.feb.15)>

There are a few patches of high clouds around, otherwise we're waking up to what looks like will be a gorgeous Sunday morning.  Our temperatures early this morning are already very mild for the season -- I'm recording an overnight low of just 52.0F (11.1C) -- and there has been no rainfall since last report.

The giant ridge of high pressure building across western into northern India seems to be doing its job well so far.  The warmest air mass of this waning winter season is already surging northward into Himachal, and it's looking more and more likely that we'll be experiencing a true early taste of spring during the next couple of days, as temperatures push well into the comfort zone -- perhaps above 65F (18C) for the first time this year.  There is always a concern about mainly afternoon cloud development here along the mountain slopes, but if the sun can hold on into at least the early afternoon, then we'll make it.

The next big weather concern centers on a very strong upper-level low pressure circulation which is now in Iraq.  It is already an unusually intense system for this time of year, and will be moving in our direction -- pushing into northern India by Tuesday night and Wednesday.  Our very comfortable temperatures will be dramatically replaced by a much cooler air mass, as widespread rain and thunderstorms develop.  Right now it's looking pretty nasty on Wednesday and Thursday.  

Check THE 7-DAY OUTLOOK for details.