Saturday, February 8, 2014

no decent warm-up... (pm.08.feb.14)>

Saturday's stats:

Low temp: 39.2F (4.0C)
High temp: 48.7F (9.3C)
Precipitation: trace

There are still some thick patches of clouds and fog lingering around the area this evening just after dark, and perhaps some random rain/sleet showers as well.  Our morning sunshine didn't last very long, as clouds were already rapidly redeveloping by around 10:00am.  By mid-afternoon we had a thick overcast and occasional fog -- and even a very brief shower of very small hail or sleet shortly after 5:00pm.  There were moments when the sunshine felt warm and soothing, but for the most part it was a very chilly day, with temperatures remaining several degrees below average for early Feb.

Although the really deep moisture associated with our recent heavy rain-producing storm system has departed, there is still enough moisture trapped here along the front slopes of the mountains to get lifted/condensed into clouds and fog once daytime heating sets in.  Very cold air in the upper-levels of the atmosphere is aiding that process, and keeping things on the unstable side.  It is now looking like we may have to get used to this situation during the coming few days, as even colder air arrives aloft.  Although any precipitation should be limited during most of this week, we can't rule out an isolated/random shower or two (of rain, sleet or snow), especially Monday night into Tuesday.  In other words, we're not going to be transitioning into a sunny and warm pattern anytime soon.

Already it's been five days since I've recorded a temp above 50F (10C), and it is likely that these cold, January-like temperatures will stay with us until perhaps Thursday.  A new storm system will begin to threaten by Friday, bringing us our next chance of significant rain and/or snow.

CURRENT FORECAST details are available on the tab above.