For 7/24/09: We are seeing the changes that we were expecting in the western weather pattern as the high pressure to our south has moved just enough to allow the plume of subtropical moisture to surge into Utah. Under the current pattern we will stay dry for today but this has started a change that will result in the ridge that has been holding over our area dropping to the south with a zonal flow drawing the western moisture east. We can expect an increase in fuel for convective thundershowers but they will remain fast moving and hit or miss.

Overnight lows warmed a little more overnight with Crested Butte dropping to 39 degrees and Gunnison reporting 42 degrees. We will see more warm highs in the high 70’s for Crested Butte and the low 80’s for Gunnison but these changes brewing in the pattern will mean cooler conditions into the weekend. Increasing cloud cover could moderate overnight lows but not until we see more organization from the west.

It’s looking like the high pressure break that has dominated through the last week will be cycling clear of the area through the weekend. A zonal pattern out of the west will first usher through the southern moisture but we are also seeing a weak wave setting up for Sunday evening and Monday. There are changes on the way so take advantage of these sunny skies. 

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