WEDNESDAY 22-FEB -2012

So the dryer than normal winter continues for our district. As ridging takes control off the coast, there will be dry and above normal temperatures for us this week. Now there is another trough dropping through the PACNW this weekend, but it doesn’t have much moisture directed to our area, just noticeably cooler temperatures. Yes, there may be some light snow in the Sierra , but nothing to break our drought, so far. The 6 – 10 day outlook still shows below normal precipitation. Will March be our savior?

As of today for our area, the Snow Water Equivalent in inches is running at 22% – 37% of normal. This is according to the California Department of Water Resources.

FOR THE OWENS VALLEY:

Today: Sunny and warmer with mostly clear skies at night. Highs 70 and lows 32. Winds NW 6 – 10 mph.
Thursday: Mostly sunny skies and a little cooler with clear skies in the evening. Highs 67 and lows 32. Winds NW 5 – 10 mph.

FOR THE TOWN OF MAMMOTH LAKES:

Today: Sunny then mostly clear in the evening. Highs 49 and lows 30. Winds N 5 – 10 mph.
Thursday: Mostly sunny skies followed by mostly clear skies at night. Highs 45 and lows 28. Winds NW 5 – 10 mph.

FOR MONO COUNTY:

Today: Mostly sunny and mostly clear at night.  Highs 52 – 62 and lows 22 – 32. Winds NW 10 – 15 mph.
Thursday: Mostly sunny then partly cloudy. Highs 46 – 56 and lows 16  – 26. Winds NW 10 – 15 mph.

TUESDAY 21-FEB-2012

Well strong high pressure once again sets up off the coast and this brings dry weather and above normal temperatures for the remainder of the work week. By the weekend, and area of low pressure tries to get over the ridge. Not much moisture here, but if nothing else, temps will drop a bit. More on this potential system later.

Today: Mostly sunny then partly cloudy in the evening. Highs 62 and lows 32. Winds NW 5 – 15 mph.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny skies and mostly clear in the evening. Highs 69 and lows 33. Wind NW 5 – 10 mph.

FOR THE TOWN OF MAMMOTH LAKES:

Today: Mostly sunny then partly cloudy in the evening. Highs 43 and lows 26. Winds NW 5 – 10 mph.
Wednesday: Sunny daytime and mostly clear at night. Highs 50 and lows 30. Winds NW 5 – 10 mph.

FOR MONO COUNTY:

Today: Some clouds during the day and in the evening.  Highs 46 – 51 and lows 16. Winds NW 10 – 15 mph.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny the mostly clear at night. Highs 52 – 62 and lows 22 – 27. Winds NW 10 – 20 mph.

MONDAY 20-FEB-2012

Warming temperatures and plenty of sunshine will be in store for our district for much of this week as high pressure builds in. Then some cooling on Saturday as a trough tries to break down the ridge. We are now closing in on the end of February and  over-all rainfall / snow pack is well below normal. Its doubtful, even if March has above normal precipitation, that we will end up in the normal range for the year. I am thinking maybe >60% of normal even if March kicks in. Time will certainly tell…

dmatt

SUNDAY 19-FEB-2012

Not much in the way of moisture last night as a weak (and I do mean weak) trough hobbled through the forecast area last night. Even Mammoth did not pick up any measurable snow fall. Another weak one will traverse the area from Yosemite north today with little or no effect, save for some breezy conditions here and there.  A big Pacific ridge will then set up camp off the coast (then move into the Great Basin) for most of this coming week, with dry and warming conditions for the district. As the ridge sets up, pressure gradients will tighten and cause the possibility of Santana winds in SOCAL, the early part of this week. The 8 – 14 day outlook still shows below normal precipitation for our area, but these outlooks are notoriously inaccurate, so stay tuned for updates.

dmatt