November 5, 2020 – Dry weather with above average high temperatures persist through today. Snow, rain, and below normal temperatures expected Friday into the weekend. Colder but dry temperatures are expected to persist early next week.
Discussion
A trough will be deepening today in the Gulf of Alaska. This will continue the well above normal temperatures again today similar to yesterdays highs.
Friday is when we are expecting significant changes in the weather as the low moves through the area. Most of the precipitation will be confined to the foothills and mountains but the valley may see some precipitation out of this system.
Breezy conditions look likely at times late Thursday night and Friday in the valley while windy conditions over the ridgetops will develop as the low moves into the region. Snow levels will lower during the day and early evening down to around 3500 to 4000 feet. 2 to 5 inches of snow may be possible out of this system mostly over the higher elevations with lessor amounts down to around 4000 feet. Noticeably colder temperatures will happen on Friday as the cold low moves over the region. During the day the atmosphere looks to become unstable and may produce a few thunderstorms around the region. The precipitation forecast for the valley is largely based on possible thunderstorms but most areas will likely see very little precipitation.
The low looks to continue to have some impact around the region on Saturday with some showers continuing. The best chances will continue to be over the mountains. A couple of extra inches of snow may be possible with continued cold temperatures, especially for the mountains that looks to get even colder. On Saturday night and Sunday a low will move southward bringing more precipitation to the region. This may bring us even more snowfall over the higher elevations than the first system. Currently a foot or more looks possible over the higher elevations. Have extended the Winter Storm Watch through Sunday afternoon as a result of the lingering snow into the evening hours.
Extended discussion (Monday through Thursday)
Dry and cold weather will start the day on Monday with temperatures in the 30s for the valley and teens for the mountain valleys. On Tuesday and Wednesday of next week more rain and snow may occur as another low pressure area moves southward over the area from Canada. Currently the NBM is not indicating any precipitation but both the European and GFS are so will have to monitor and possibly make some adjustments moving forward.