Record High temperatures were broken yesterday in many areas of Eastern CA. The combination of the lack of snow pack and high pressure aloft over Northern CA allowed these highs to be exceptionally greater than would have been, had we had a larger snow pack.

Broken high temp records occurred in other areas as well like the Owens Valley. Bishop had a high of 76 Sunday breaking the old high temp of 71 set back in 1984.  Mammoth’s high temp was 61 breaking the old high of 52 set back in 2007. South Shore Tahoe record high was shattered with a high of 66 as compared to 57 set back in 1982.

A classic “Rex Block” weather pattern developed over the far west this weekend bringing record high temperatures for the Eastern Sierra. The Observed Pattern is highlighted by A strong Anti-Cyclone over Northern CA, while the southern portion of the REX (an upper low) was located to the South at 25N/130W. (Off Central Baja,MX.)  The progs today show the upper ridge portion moving east today, allowing the upper subtropical low to lift north and east into CA Tonight and Friday. Latest Satellite motion shows moisture and PWAT increasing over Southern California at the moment. The progs move this moisture north into the Eastern Sierra tonight and into Tuesday. Precipitation is expected to be light,  between .25 and  .50 of an inch for QPF from this system. There will be no Orographic’s with this system for Mammoth Lakes. However, you can not rule out some heavier convective showers with some isolated heavier amounts over the Southern Sierra.  Expect between 2 to 4 inches of snowfall over the upper elevations between tonight and Tuesday night with another couple of inches possible between Wednesday and Friday. High temps on Tuesday will be in the mid 30s. lows in the 20s

The outlook shows another but weaker system moving through Thursday/Night. with a few showers. The weekend outlook looks partly cloudy and dry with warmer temps….

The 21 day cycle completed its transition from one dry pattern to the next.  The Longer range outlooks are in agreement with the ridge trof pattern lasting another 2 weeks over the CONUS.

 

Dr Howard and the Dweebs………………………….:-)