April 15, 2017 – Dry and warmer Saturday, then series of weak to average storms expected Sunday trough Thursday.
Discussion (Today through Tuesday)
Dry and warmer today with high pressure over the region. A few high clouds will drift over the region otherwise sunny skies are expected today. Temperatures will warm into the 70s today 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 and European indicating around 7000 foot snow levels while the NAM is indicating snow levels lowering around 6000 feet Sunday afternoon. Snow levels should lower some in the evening so that’s when travel would likely to have any issues if there are any.
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 3 to 5 inches at pass levels with some higher amounts over the peaks.
Monday moist flow over the area will keep a chance of showers around on Monday with another weak system moving through on Tuesday. This system one may be unstable enough to bring some afternoon thunderstorms to the valley and foothills.
Extended discussion (Wednesday through Saturday)
Another system will move through the interior during the Wednesday/Thursday timeframe. Rainfall totals do no look that high for this system as well as the one earlier in the week. This system does have colder air associated with it that will bring lower snow levels but also less precipitation amounts.
A ridge of high pressure will build behind this system to bring a period of dry weather with temperatures warming above normal by next weekend.