Thursday, December 8, 2016

attempting some changes... (pm.08.dec.16)>

Thursday's stats:

Low temp: 53.9F (12.2C)
High temp: 60.9F (16.1C)
Rainfall: none

Mostly clear, but hazy -- that is the story AGAIN late this evening after the sky has gone from dusk to total darkness.  We've had another day of almost full sunshine, apart from the haze and microscopic high clouds here and there.  Temperatures have declined very slightly since Tuesday, but remain well above normal for this time of year.  Humidity today was in the range of 24 to 46%.

The big ridge of high pressure aloft which has been the dominant weather feature across the northern half of India the past several days is in the process of breaking down.  That means that the very strong temperature inversion that has trapped lots of dust and smog and other pollutants in the lowest levels of the atmosphere will also be torn apart.  Much colder air in the upper levels is already starting to arrive, as a low pressure system organizes over Iran.  This system will move rather quickly into northern Pakistan by Sunday morning, bringing a batch of colder air with it, and also tugging some moisture northeastward from the Arabian Sea as it approaches.  The latest model data is showing the potential for a quick period of precipitation between Saturday night and Sunday afternoon, with drier air quickly sweeping in and chasing away the moisture thereafter.  That means our risk of showers for Monday and Tuesday has been almost totally wiped out.

It's been dry for so long, that this is actually something exciting to watch, when really, it is not much of a storm system at all.  If we do get some rain showers Saturday night into Sunday, they will likely be light, but much colder air up along the Dhauladhars could assist the first noticeable dose of snowfall up there.

Forecast details are updated both morning and evening on THE 7-DAY OUTLOOK tab at the top of the page.