Short Thermometer Days

After the sunny, warm conditions of the last few days the cloudy skies and cooler weather expected for the next few days will be quite a contrast. Temperatures will still average warmer than normal though due to our nights running about 10 degrees above normal. Daytime temperatures will be closer to normal and that all means a pretty short thermometer. For example, the afternoon highs for today should be near 50 and we started the day in the lower 40s at most locations.

Little or no sunshine is expected for today but if we are lucky we may see a few breaks in the stratus cloud deck on Monday. Overcast skies are expected on Tuesday and that still looks to be our best chance for rain. A sprinkle or two and possibly even an isolated shower or two will be possible today and Monday, mainly for the more southern locations. However, on Tuesday the main storm system will be ejecting out of the southern Rockies and that is expected to push a more widespread area of rain across the eastern part of the state. Some of the model solutions are suggesting this system will take a more southern track and if so, there will be a rather sharp N-S moisture gradient which also means a sharp N-S gradient in the location of the rainfall. For now, will go with a 60% chance area wide but the chances may need to be trimmed back for the more northern counties if subsequent model runs continue the more southward trend.

Temperatures will stay above freezing for the next few nights due to the cloudy skies with overnight lows generally in the mid-upper 30s. Daytime highs will be near 50 again on Monday and could go a little warmer if we do see a few breaks in the clouds. The clouds and rain should keep us in the 40s on Tuesday. Our winds will remain from a N to NE component till Tuesday when they will shift from E to NE to eventually NW as the surface low swings on by to the south of us.

Strong NW winds will be moving in later Wednesday behind a stronger cold front which will come through dry. The Tuesday system will have taken most of the moisture on east with it, but this front will bring some pretty chilly air along with it. Temperatures won't really start falling off till later in the day Wednesday but Thursday and Friday look to be below normal for a change.

Right now, the coming weekend looks promising with southerly winds returning, mostly sunny skies and moderating temperatures. Another cold front should arrive early in the following week.

So, stay tuned and check back for updates.

Dick Faurot