High Sierra Topix

Local Owens Valley & High Country Forecast
Fort Independence EPA Met Station
EPA Site No: 06-027-1028
0830 PDT 29 Sep 2006

All:

Short Term…Blocking pattern begins to break down today as an upper level trough nears the Calif. Coast. Temps will drop down closer to or below normal by Saturday. Increasing moisture associated with that trough will bring a chance of showers and T-Storm activity to the High Country and the Upper Elevations by Saturday night. There will be partly cloudy skies today with daytime temps in the Valley in the mid 80s and evening temps in the mid 40s. Saturday it will be partly cloudy with highs in the upper 70s and lows in the low 40s. The High Country will have partly cloudy skies and afternoon temps in the mid 70s dropping down to the low 70s on Saturday. Gusty winds to 40 mph can be expected in the High Country on Saturday night.

Long Term…Sunday through Wednesday, the upper level trough deepens with a chance of T-storms and light snow, mostly in the upper elevations continuing through Wednesday. Local gusty winds to 45 mph can be expected over the Crest and through the passes on Sunday. Dramatically cooler weather will be on order each day through Wednesday with max temps running 5 to 10 degrees below normal in all areas.

Dennis Mattinson
Air Quality & Weather Specialist

Hey Matt--thanks ALOT for your reports--I look forward to them and appreciate your efforts.

I've read varying reports for this Fall/early winter regarding it being an El Nino year.

I won't hold you to it by any means, but do you think we are in for an early winter??, or will it be relatively dry for the next few months.

Again, I totally realize this is not a yes or no question and extremely speculative. I was thinking about a late season journey (Oct-Nov) so I'm throwing this out their for the heck of it. Thanks again for your daily efforts. John

John:

Right now, storm pattern is setting up for a drier than normal first half of fall, then things get going into early winter. but, you never really know around here.

Matt

Thanks Matt---John

Saturday, Owens Wilderness (southern Sierra by hwy 395 & 178): 75 deg, really windy at 5500', overcast, breeze at 8,500', but not cold.

Sunday, Death Valley: 75 deg, threatening clouds, few sprinkles at 2:30pm, not enough for raingear