May27 weather
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Thursday, May 27th, 2010
Rocky Mountain National Park Weather Forecast
Melt-freeze cycles over the past week continued to provide favorable mountaineering conditions across the high country of RMNP.
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The Week in Review
A large trough of low pressure over the western US transported warm air over the region on May 19-22. Strong southwesterly winds efficiently mixed the lower atmosphere which prevented or limited overnight freezes during that time.
The best melt-freeze cycles of the week came on the heels of two short wavelength troughs of low pressure. The second and strongest wave on May 24 ushered in the coldest and longest freeze.
In response to the next amplifying disturbance along the west coast, warm air surged northward over the last 24 hours. |
Click on weather chart or photos to enlarge.
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Eli and Mike checking-out the slide paths from cornices on the Ptarmigan Headwall on May 26th, 2010. Many slopes and couloirs throughout the high country are overhung with immensely large cornices of which many are perched for release. Super early starts or avoidance are key in staying clear of these killers.
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The Upcoming Week
Some of the warmest conditions of the season are forecast over the next three days.
During this time, most locations below, near, and above treeline, with the exception of the coldest and highest locations, are expected to remain above freezing throughout the period.
Continuous and rapid melting of the existing snowpack and ice is likely. The threat of wet snow avalanches will increase during this time, and a widespread shedding cycle is possible on a wide range of aspects.
A cold front is forecast to move through on Saturday night, May 29. The airmass behind the front should be cold enough to produce an overnight freeze near and above treeline.
Seasonal weather conditions are forecast for the beginning of next week, with the possibility of a weak wave in the westerly flow clipping the northern part of the state on Tuesday, June 1.
By middle part of next week, a strong ridge of high pressure and warm weather is forecast to build across the inter mountain west.
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The weather forecast for the western U.S. this weekend.
Green was our up line and red our two down lines on the Ptarmigan Headwall on May 26th, 2010.
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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.
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