|
july22 weather
The weekend weather forecast for the high country of Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. Researched and written by professional meteorologist and avid mountaineer, Dan "the weather man" Gottas.
|
Thursday, July 22nd, 2010
Rocky Mountain National Park Weather Forecast
Monsoon moisture made its return to the Park over the past week, which reestablished the afternoon shower and thunderstorm pattern.
|
|
The Week in Review
Summertime temperatures kicked into high gear this past week, with daytime highs in the 60s F near treeline. On Saturday 7/17, the maximum temperature broke the 70 F mark for the first time this summer.
The dry airmass that moved over the region on 7/15-16 maintained clear, storm-free skies, which provided an ideal safe weather window for high-elevation outings.
Following the brief dry spell, monsoon moisture worked back over the state from the southwest and increased in coverage and magnitude over the past five days. The afternoon shower and thunderstorm activity followed suit, with some pretty healthy rainers culminating on Wednesday 7/21.
|
Click on weather chart or photos to enlarge. |
The Ships Prow and Chasm Lake in the dawn light. This cliff face has two sport routes (12+ and 14-) along with three multi-pitch trad routes with5.12+ to 13- crux pitches realized by the team of T. Donahue and T. Caldwell. This is one of the most 'stacked' cliff in RMNP and for its size, maybe the state of Colorado. The setting can't be beat!
|
|
The Upcoming Week
A repeat performance of last week’s weather is on tap for the next several days.
Another wave in the westerlies passing to our north will usher in a brief shot of drier air. While neither as dry nor as prolonged as last week’s punch, the afternoon zap and precip risk will be reduced when compared to recent days.
Some unsettled weather will continue into Thursday 7/22, before the drier air begins to settle in during the late afternoon hours.
Friday is shaping up to be the best weather day for higher exposed adventures.
Moisture will be returning from the south by Saturday 7/24, which should be enough to fuel isolated late afternoon showers and storms. This moistening trend, with increasing storminess, is forecast to continue into Sunday.
Through next Wednesday 7/28, no significant drying trends are expected. Surges of monsoon moisture are forecast to rotate northeastward into CO from the southwest during the period. The typical summer weather pattern, with the threat of afternoon showers and thunderstorms, is anticipated during this time.
|
The weekend weather forecast.
|
Detailed 7-Day Forecast
The link above will take you to the National Weather Service forecast for the 12,000 foot level near Longs Peak. These forecasts are derived from computer-generated numerical forecasts, and are updated shortly after 3:30 am, 9:30 am, 3:30 pm, and 9:30 pm local time. In the lower right-hand corner of the page, one can view forecasts for other locations in the Park by clicking on the desired location in the terrain map.
Do-It-Yourself Weather Forecast Links
The link above provides a list of web links to various sites containing a variety of meteorological data and information. Collectively, these resources can be used to monitor and study current weather conditions, as well short-term, medium-range, and climate forecasts.
|
|
