WEATHER FORECAST 2/22/07 (8:03 am)

[dmatt]

Forecast for Mammoth & the Owens Valley
Provided by Dennis Mattinson
Forecast Specialist for the Sierra Wave 92.5 / 96.5 FM
Broadcast Times 12:30pm & 5:30pm M - F

A strong upper low out of the Gulf of Alaska is due in today, with snow in Mammoth starting early this morning. Rain in the Owens Valley is expected by late afternoon. A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for the High Country from Thursday morning through Friday morning. Strong winds will accompany this system and a wind advisory will be in effect from 9 am to 6 pm today, but this could very well be extended into the evening. Snow amounts expected by Friday are as much as 24 inches above 9,000 feet and up to 12 inches below.

Today for Bishop & the Owens Valley: Mostly cloudy with a chance of rain then snow late in the evening. Snow level down to 4,000 feet after midnight. Highs in the lower 50s and lows in the upper 20s. Southeast wind 15 - 20 gusting to 40 mph. There is a 50% chance of precipitation today.

Today for Mammoth: Windy with snow starting in the morning. Snow level 6,000 feet lowering to the valley floor later in day. South wind 20 - 30 gusting to 50 mph in town and up to 100 mph over the Crest. Temperature range 41 to 49 and 17 - 28.

Tomorrow for Bishop & the Owens Valley: Mostly cloudy and breezy with a 50 % chance of rain and snow showers in the morning. High temperatures will be in the mid 40s and nighttime temperatures in the lower 20s. Northwest wind 15 - 20 gusting to 30 mph.

Tomorrow for Mammoth: Cloudy with a chance of snow showers. South wind 10 - 20 gusting to 40 in town and 70 mph over the Crest. Temperature range 30 - 40 and evening lows 6 - 13.

The upper low moves out on Friday as a weak shortwave ridge builds in over California. I expect unsettled but dry conditions over the weekend then another low out of the Gulf of Alaska will move through our area on Monday and Tuesday with an increased chance of precipitation.