Weather outlook for Sept 9

The general weather outlook for September 9th around SLC.

Well, "holy fetch" it's been quite a week so far. With all this east wind, I'm amazed at how well classic lines to the south have worked for everyone. We've got more east on tap for today, only this time it's not your Utah 3.2 stuff. We're talking the real deal--the stuff you get from WY right off the shelf!

First , the NWS synopsis:

Area forecast discussion
National Weather Service Salt Lake City Utah
400 am MDT Friday Sep 9 2011

Synopsis....the weak upper level low pressure system over the
southern Great Basin will retreat southwest to the Southern
California coast this weekend. A resultant increasing southerly
flow will spread moisture northward across the region.

Basically, the short of it is this: upper low to the west is wobbling south which "opens" the door for a surge of moisture to pump up from the SW. As the low moves, East winds pick up and the pressure gradient increases a bit. This is the same east we've dealt with over the last 3 days, only a bit stiffer. Breezy E winds are forcasted for the wasatch valleys, perhaps longer than just morning drainage flow (not a good thing for us). We'll start to see more moisture and high clouds move into the area throughout the day, with a good surge settling in later tonight.


Current Surface Winds
Canyon drainage acting much like yesterday with Provo, Parleys, Avenues, and Spanish fork all pushing out 30mph or more. Wasatch crest winds are 10-18 from the E already, and are predicted to get stronger. Center of valleys are light and variable at the moment. Not sure if they will take on the E flow throughout the day or not. We typically don't see that.


Winds 12 PM

Height	Direction	Speed	Notes as the day evolves
Surface	N S E W	light
9000 ft	E	7-10 mph	same
12000 ft	E	10-12 mph	same
15000 ft	E	10-12 mph	same
18000 ft	E	12 mph	same

Lift Potential & Clouds

High and some mid level clouds will continue to spread across the region. Sunny in the morning, then partly cloudy later in the day. Cloudbase around 12k with top of lift the same. The San Pete valley may not see base any higher today, except for OD cells that lift a bit higher.

Over Development & Precip

NWS does not indicate a chance for precip at the moment, but all models are showing precip events will occur across the entire region by mid day. I'm inclined to believe the models given the E wind. The south flow will keep flight from making much distance that direction today. There is ample moisture aloft to allow scattered TS to developed today. With increased high clouds, however, the convection may stay a little more suppressed.

Delta, UT anyone?

XC Skies 3 day Forecast for Provo Mountain area.