Snow in the Mountains and Rain in the Valleys through Friday morning!

Temperatures will fall to below normal tonight as the first in a series of Pacific storms moves through the region. So, after a period of dry and warm days, a return to cooler and more unsettled weather is expected.

Expect scattered valley rain showers and mountain snow showers tonight with the snow level will lowering to between 6000 and 8000 feet as colder air filters into the area. Snow accumulations in the mountains appear to be in the 4 to 8 inch range on average, with locally higher amounts up to 12 inches above 10,000 feet. Higher valleys may see a changeover to all snow or precip mixing in with snow overnight into early Friday morning, but accumulations appear minimal at best. To summarize the key points from this event:

High elevations will likely receive significant snow accumulations continuing into Friday morning
Plenty of rain possible at lower elevations today
Scattered thunderstorms will develop this afternoon and along the cold front.
Initial focus of precipitation this morning and afternoon will be on the south-facing slopes, with the focus shifting towards the north-west and northerly slopes.
Snow level will gradually lower from the west to 6500 feet by late tonight into Friday morning
North facing slopes will be favored for snow tonight after winds shift to northerly with breezy to windy conditions on the back side of this system

More rain and snow is expected across the area Saturday night and Sunday!