Sunday, February 1, 2015

wetter stuff ahead... (pm.01.feb.15)>

Sunday's stats:

Low temp: 41.5F (5.3C)

High temp: 50.1F (10.1C)
Precipitation: none

Well... after a lot of back-and-forth between sun and clouds today, we're finally ending the day with mostly cloudy skies.  Those clouds have been looking a bit more moisture-laden during the last hour or two, and there could be a few sprinkles of rain here and there around the area.  The temp at my location in the upper part of town cracked 50F (10C) for the first time in a week.

We're getting closer and closer to a period of foul weather, as a broad upper-level low pressure system very slowly takes shape to our west.  The winds aloft are gradually turning to the southwest, while the lower-level flow becomes more south-southeasterly.  In the coming 24 hours, that combination is going to be channeling a significant amount of moisture in our direction, which will be lifted dramatically here along the mountains.  Scattered mainly light rain showers could develop at any time, but it is still looking like the vast majority of precipitation from this system is going to occur between tomorrow (Mon) afternoon and very late Tuesday night.  Models are projecting anywhere from about 4cm (1.6") to 7.5cm (3.0").  Liquid form seems most likely here at our elevation, but a mix of rain/snow could occur late Tuesday and overnight.  

Clearing by Wednesday morning... and a quieter scenario for the rest of the week.