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The Next Storm/Next Snow Forecast Discussion from the Cherrywood Observatory – December 6, 2017

This content was originally published by the Longmont Observer and is licensed under a Creative Commons license.

Forecast Discussion:

The Wednesday front comes racing in today, but things remain dry. Figure 1, the water vapor satellite image, shows that the tropical moisture is far to the south. But this front will bring in strong winds today (Figure 2). This figure has winds sustained around 20mph from the NNW around Longmont (and stronger up north).  Real cold air comes in as well with a high staying in the 30's today (Figure 3).  Bundle up!

Figure 1: Tuesday PM Water Vapor satellite image (dry air= red/brown, moist air = purple/white)

Figure 2: The surface winds - directions with flags, speed in colors for Wednesday afternoon.

Figure 3: surface air temperatures 2pm Wednesday forecast.

The longer range forecast:

Another front keeps temperatures cold for Thursday (Figure 4). We stay in the 30's tomorrow as well (with more wind).  There IS a chance of snow flurries around for this storm (but not much). Figure 5 is the total snowfall accumulation through the end of this week, and there is a dusting in the mountains and on spots on the Plains. Longmont probably remains dry.

By Friday (Figure 6) the western ridge finally moves in and we rapidly shoot up to highs in the 50's and then 60's on Saturday.  Go get a tan!

(The pure fantasy Christmas forecast, from accuweather.com, has cooled to highs in the upper 40's, but only partly cloudy skies.)

Figure 4: surface air temperatures 2pm Thursday forecast.

Figure 5: Total snowfall between now and Friday night from the GFS.

Figure 6: The GFS upper air forecast map for Friday PM.

Current Weather

Mostly cloudy

Mostly cloudy

56°F

UV Index
3 Moderate
Pressure
29.62 Steady
Visibility
8 miles
Dewpoint
22 °F
Humidity
27%
Wind
WSW 9.7 mph
Gust
21.9 mph
Wind Chill
56 °F

Hourly Forecast

Today
11 AM
57°F
Showers
Today
12 PM
58°F
Mostly cloudy
Today
1 PM
59°F
Mostly cloudy
Today
2 PM
60°F
Intermittent clouds
Today
3 PM
62°F
Intermittent clouds
Today
4 PM
60°F
Intermittent clouds
Today
5 PM
58°F
Intermittent clouds
Today
6 PM
56°F
Intermittent clouds
Today
7 PM
54°F
Intermittent clouds
Today
8 PM
51°F
Intermittent clouds
Today
9 PM
48°F
Partly cloudy
Today
10 PM
45°F
Partly cloudy

7 Day Forecast

Partly sunny w/ showers

Tuesday

62 °F

A brief morning shower or two; otherwise, windy with times of clouds and sun


Partly cloudy

Tuesday Night

34 °F

Partly cloudy and colder; there can be frost in the normally colder spots


Intermittent clouds

Wednesday

59 °F

Cool with times of clouds and sun


Mostly cloudy w/ showers

Wednesday Night

37 °F

Increasing clouds with a shower in spots late


Partly sunny w/ showers

Thursday

56 °F

Times of clouds and sun with a couple of showers; cool


Partly cloudy

Thursday Night

40 °F

Partly cloudy


Mostly cloudy

Friday

63 °F

Mostly cloudy and warmer


Clear

Friday Night

40 °F

Clear


Mostly sunny

Saturday

74 °F

Mostly sunny, pleasant and warmer


Mostly clear

Saturday Night

43 °F

Mainly clear


Sunrise and Sunset

Sunrise
5:52 AM
Sunset
8:02 PM

Based on AccuWeather data