Friday, February 1, 2013

new storm gathering... (pm.01.feb.13)>

Friday's stats:

Early morning low temp: 46.0F (7.8C)
Afternoon high temp: 56.7F (13.7C)
Rainfall: none

High clouds are in control this evening, and have been since the middle of this afternoon.  We did have a good amount of sunshine until mid-day, and that allowed our high temp on this first day of February to rise into the winter-time comfort zone yet again.

Interesting times are ahead.  The upper-level low pressure system that will be the catalyst for lots of rainy weather next week is now moving through Iran, and will settle into southwestern Pakistan by late Sunday.  There is already a massive shield of high clouds across central Asia and the western Himalayan region, but as this system matures, the clockwise circulation is going to tap into an impressive amount of moisture from the Arabian Sea.  That will lead to an explosive development of rain and snow across north India, which should last for several days due to the expected very slow storm movement.

Computer models are showing 12-16cm (~4-6") of liquid-equivalent precipitation in our area between late Sunday and very late Wednesday, which would definitely be something to write home about if it indeed happens.  However, this system still looks like it is going to be a rather warm one for this time of year, so the snow line should remain well above McLeod -- most likely above 2300m/7500ft or so, at least until the storm's very end when we may get some slushy accumulations of snow and sleet further down the mountain.  There are indications that this thing could hang around all through the week before we get any decent clearing.  Stay tuned for updates over the weekend...

FRIDAY NIGHT:
partly to mostly cloudy.  unseasonably mild.
low: 8C (46F)

SATURDAY:
both clouds and a bit of sun at times.  just a slight chance of a rain shower.
high: 13C (56F)

SATURDAY NIGHT:
partly to mostly cloudy.  an isolated shower?
low: 8C (47F)

SUNDAY:
partly cloudy and mild.  rain chances increasing by late in the PM.
high: 13C (56F)

MONDAY:
mostly cloudy and cooler.  good chance of a few periods of rain.  gusty winds possible as well.
low: 7C (45F)
high: 12C (53F)

TUESDAY:
mostly cloudy with rain likely... heavy at times.  gusty winds and some thunder possible.
low: 6C (42F)
high: 9C (49F)

WEDNESDAY:
mostly cloudy with periods of rain likely.  occasionally windy, with some thunder possible.  some sleet/snow by evening?
low: 3C (38F)
high: 8C (47F)