Monday, April 8, 2013

Downslope Windstorm

Northern Utah is waiting for another downslope windstorm. The National Weather Service, however, emphasized this wind storm will not be as strong as the storm in December, 2011. The GFS model for 04/09/13 at 03 UTC (6:00 P.M. local time) shows a large pressure gradient between Utah and Wyoming. This will induce high winds along the Wasatch Front as air plunges down the mountain side.
GFS 04/09/13 03 UTC: Sea Level Pressure and 3hr Precipitation

The NAM for the same time also shows a large pressure gradient. Below are the predicted surface winds at 03 UTC.
NAM HIRES, Northern Utah: 04/09/13 03 UTC: 10-m winds and 3hr Precipitation

Check out the Wasatch Weather Weenies blog for more about the downslope windstorm.