For 8/14/09: The southern moisture drawn up into the west following the low pressure trough’s movement through the north has brought us some much needed rain with a more zonal pattern pushing it straight across our area. We can expect areas of heavy cloud cover to offer rain and some scattered strong thunder cells through this afternoon. Precipitable water levels have risen to about an inch and this always seems to be the level to fuel the heavier storms.

Overnight lows were warm valley wide thanks to the heavy cloud cover with Crested Butte reporting 48 degrees and Gunnison 50 degrees. Daytime highs will remain cool without too much sun but look for warmer temperatures through the afternoon to fuel some stronger convective cells. Skies will remain partly cloudy overnight and temperatures will be fairly mild in the low 40’s.

This latest shuffle in the western pattern will mean the most variables for northern Colorado once this latest round of moisture pushes through. We will see drying conditions into the weekend but today will be a much needed shot of moisture. We will see some gaps of sunshine but stronger cells will be lurking.

Look for a complete Crested Butte and Gunnison weather report, 24 hour trends and real time weather information now available at WWW.CBTV.TV.