April 14, 2017 – Drier weather Friday and Saturday, then additional storms expected Sunday into next week.
Discussion
Much drier weather the next couple of days as high pressure moves over the region. A few isolated showers may persist over the mountains before ending today. Temperatures will become warmer the next couple of days. Generally mid 60s are expected today within the valley to the 40s for the mountains with continued warming on Saturday. Temperatures will warm into the 70s Saturday within the valley to the 50s for the mountains.
A storm system will be moving into the region for Easter. Currently it looks like it will start to spread along the coastal range and locally into the valley during the morning hours and then spread over the remainder of the area in the afternoon. Snow levels are still uncertain at this time with the GFS indicating around 6000 foot level while the European and NAM are indicating snow levels around 7000 feet. Snow levels should lower some in the evening so that’s when travel is likely to have more issues.
Precipitation amounts will not be large with this storm. Generally under a half inch for the valley and under one inch in the mountains. Snowfall amounts may range from around 6 inches at pass levels to around a foot over the peaks.
Extended discussion (Tuesday through Friday)
A couple of systems will move through the region Monday/Tuesday for the first one then Wednesday/Thursday for the second one. Overall rainfall totals do no look that high for each system but the first one is looking a little bit wetter than the second one at this time.
Snowfall levels look fairly high with the first one so impacts from snow may be limited to around the crest and above. The second system has colder air but less precipitation amounts.
A ridge of high pressure will build behind the second system to bring a period of dry weather.