Saturday, December 21, 2013

solstice & some moisture... (am.21.dec.13)>

Today and tomorrow are the shortest days of the calendar year, as the winter solstice occurs tonight at 10:41pm.  That's when the direct rays of the sun fall on the Tropic of Capricorn, in the southern hemisphere, providing us with the lowest sun angle here in the northern hemisphere.  The good news is that the days will slowly and gradually start to get longer very soon!!

Still watching an upper-level disturbance getting organized just off to our west-northwest.  At the same time, an area of low pressure at the surface is beginning to form over the plains of northwest India.  This means there will be some moisture being drawn northward into our area during the next 24 hours, as some upper-level energy passes overhead -- providing us with our first decent chance of precipitation in a long time.

The best chance of rain showers and mountain snow will be between tonight and Sunday evening, when it is possible that some areas could pick up 0.2-0.5" (0.5 -1.2cm) of liquid-equivalent precipitation.  Right now I think the rain/snow line should be above McLeod -- around 7500ft (2300m) or so -- but my confidence is low at this point.  Will update again this evening.

I'll get the CURRENT FORECAST back up soon -- on the tab at the top of the page.