Monday, December 30, 2013

ingredients assembling... (am.30.dec.13)>

The sky is totally clear just before sunrise this morning, and the humidity stands at 44%.  I've recorded an overnight low (and current temp) of 40.6F (4.8C), and there has been no precipitation since last report.

It looks like we have one more day of quiet weather before we have to contend with a storm system which is still on approach from the west.  As a strong upper-level circulation moves slowly from Afghanistan into central Pakistan during the coming 24 hours, an area of low pressure near the surface is expected to develop over Rajasthan.  Increasing southerly winds across the plains of northwest India will then transport some moisture-laden air northward, as upper-level energy begins to move in.  However, that upper-level circulation is still projected to weaken dramatically as it nears the Pak/Kashmir border by Tuesday evening -- and that is what may limit the impact this storm system has on Himachal Pradesh.  Computer models are still showing the main batch of rain/snow will occur just off to our northwest.

At any rate -- we should see scattered showers and possibly a couple of thundershowers develop in our vicinity as early as late tonight, with the best chance of wet weather tomorrow (New Year's Eve), and then some lingering rain/snow showers in our area diminishing on New Year's Day.  Atmospheric temperature profiles at the moment would favor precipitation mixing with sleet and snow as low as McLeod during the earlier stages, but then some warming in the mid- and upper-levels could prevent a significant snow event for us.  As always, we'll just have to watch carefully as it all starts to come together during the next 12-24 hours.

The CURRENT FORECAST details can be found on the tab above.