Rain showers, snow showers and cold followed by warming into the weekend

Monday, October 17, 2016

A couple of waves of energy moving within a strong Pacific jet stream will affect our area today and later Tuesday into Wednesday. Though I just saw some snowflakes in the valley, the rain-snow line looks to be around 7500′ - 8000′ and the current rain showers, mixed with snowflakes at times, should persist through most of the afternoon.

We should have a break in the precipitation tonight lasting into Tuesday afternoon before a stronger wave brings a cold front through the Steamboat Springs area late in the afternoon or early in the evening. Snow showers, moderate to heavy at times, should occur overnight Tuesday even in the valley, likely leaving accumulations on the grassy areas and possibly even the roadways under the heavier showers.

Wednesday will be quite chilly, especially with a trailing wave keeping the possibility of some light and non-accumulating snow showers over the area through the day.

Thursday should be a sunny and cool day with warming afternoon temperatures as a flat ridge builds behind the departing storm, with the coldest morning temperatures of the season if skies clear by sunrise.

The ridge will bring dry and pleasant weather with much warmer temperatures for Friday and the weekend, with a dry wave passing over the top of the ridge knocking temperatures back a bit on Sunday.

A complicated and uncertain upper level pattern then evolves off the West Coast early in the next work week, possibly bringing the threat of precipitation back to the area, especially by midweek.