Tuesday, February 24, 2015

storm on the horizon... (pm.24.feb.15)>

Tuesday's stats:

Low temp: 54.3F (12.4C) -- updated @ 8:20pm
High temp: 65.6F (18.7C)
Precipitation: none

Clouds have really thickened up and the visibility has dropped during the past couple of hours.  Although there was extensive high cloudiness for much of the day, we did get a good amount of dim sun shining through, and that made for one last unseasonably warm day -- before the bottom falls out again.  Today's high temp was nearly as warm as yesterday's.  We've not yet had any raindrops as of 6:30pm... but that will probably change shortly.

Computer models have remained remarkably consistent the last several days in tracking the evolution of the very strong late winter storm system which is now moving into north India.  The upper-level circulation itself is located over Afghanistan, but the general trough of low pressure in the upper atmosphere is quite extensive -- stretching from Iran to Pakistan.  Moisture is being drawn northward just to the east of the main circulation, as unseasonably cold central Asian air filters in from the northwest.  All of this is setting us up for a period of wet, colder, stormy and potentially windy weather between tonight and early Thursday.  Temperatures will be on their way down as well.

Precipitation amounts are projected to be between 4 and 7cm (1.5-2.8") during the next 36-48 hours... and that translates into a couple of feet of snow in areas up-mountain from us.  As colder air arrives, we could see that snow line progress downward and perilously close to us.  It's all going to be quite a change from the springtime preview we've enjoyed the last few days.

Unstable, unseasonably cool, and potentially showery weather will continue into the weekend, with more substantial rain possible again on Sunday into Monday.  Check THE 7-DAY OUTLOOK tab above for details...