Red Mountain Resort

Issued:

Thursday March 11, 2010 10:15 PST

Synopsis

Winds strengthen today as the first of two large Pacific frontal systems delivers a few flurries or snow, continuing through tonight, Friday, and Friday night at upper elevations as the second system passes through. The same strong southwesterly flow that brings increasing winds today and Friday allows temperatures and freezing levels to gradually creep higher. Freezing levels drop to or close to valley bottoms Friday night with the passage of the cold front of the second system.

Freezing Level

Rising to between 1200 & 1400m Thursday afternoon. Dropping slightly to between 1000 and 1300m this evening, then gradually rising to between 1600 and 1800m by Friday afternoon. Freezing levels drop to or close to valley bottoms Friday night.

Forecast:

TODAY: Cloudy with snow, mixed precipitation or showers at the base. Windy. Snow level near 1200m.

TONIGHT: Cloudy with snow. Windy. Snow levels near 800m. Temperatures remain fairly steady or else trend milder at higher elevations.

FRIDAY: Cloudy with upper elevation snow, accumulations from 4-8cm. Snow levels near 1500m. Showers or mixed precipitation more likely at the base elevation. Moderate or strong winds continue at ridge top elevations. High near +4 at the base, near -2 at Granite.

FRIDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with upper elevation snow, accumulations from 3-8cm. Snow levels drop to valley bottoms by Saturday morning.

OUTLOOK (GRANITE):
SATURDAY: Cloudy with possible sunny breaks and a 30% chance of flurries. High near -1.

SUNDAY: Sunny with a few bands of cloud. High near +1.

MONDAY: Sunny with cloudy periods. High near +2.

CONFIDENCE: Fair. Some models show ridge top speeds in excess of 80km/hr are possible today, and winds in the 50 to 70 km/hr range are currently being reported to the north and west. Models struggle with the timing and moisture content of the pair of systems that pass one after the other over the area today and Friday. Greater than forecast snowfall accumulations are possible, as some models have recently trended towards higher moisture levels with the system that passes through Friday/Friday night. Some uncertainty regarding accumulations at the base Friday night, as snow levels may only dip below the base’s elevation in the partial clearing that may be seen after the cold front passes through. Slightly cooler temperatures and unsettled conditions should follow on Saturday with a slight chance of afternoon convection delivering flurries. A warming and drying trend is expected Sunday and Monday as high pressure builds from the south or southwest.

Jesse Ellis