Ridge of high pressure begins to build into the western United States resulting in warmer temperatures and mostly clear skies for the area.

Happy New Year! Tuesday, the first day of 2008, will likely begin on a warm note, as a ridge of high pressure moves in from the west and will be centered over the area by the afternoon hours. With a ridge building in over the area, the high temperature will likely rise a handful of degrees compared to the 63.9ºF, which occurred Monday. At the same time, a weak weather disturbance will be moving up from the south and be located around the northern portion of Baja by the afternoon. As a result, high clouds will likely be on the increase throughout the day. With the added high clouds, the high temperature may not get to out of hand, so will go with a high of 67ºF. With high clouds likely during the overnight hours, low temperatures Wednesday morning will likely be warmer then we have experienced over the past couple nights, with lows likely to be in the upper 30’s.

Saturday will likely be mostly cloudy throughout the day, with thicker clouds moving in during the afternoon and evening hours, leading to a chance of rain. During the early morning hours, most moisture will likely be in western Arizona, with a front from a line from Las Vegas back to San Diego. Through midday into the afternoon hours, the moisture and front will advance toward the valley. At the same time the front moves through the valley, an upper level jet of around 95 to 100knots will likely be over the area producing more uplift. With copious amounts of moisture available throughout the afternoon and evening hours, a front moving through, as well as other dynamics, the best chance of rain will exists from midday through the night. With cloud cover for much of the day, the high temperatures will likely be down a handful of degrees, so will go with a high of 67ºF.

Saturday will likely be mostly cloudy throughout the day, with thicker clouds moving in during the afternoon and evening hours, leading to a chance of rain. During the early morning hours, most moisture will likely be in western Arizona, with a front from a line from Las Vegas back to San Diego. Through midday into the afternoon hours, the moisture and front will advance toward the valley. At the same time the front moves through the valley, a upper level jet of around 95 to 100knots will likely be over the area producing more uplift. With copious amounts of moisture available throughout the afternoon and evening hours, a front moving through as well as other dynamics, the best chance of rain will exists from midday through the night. With cloud cover for much of the day, the high temperatures will likely be down a handful of degrees, so will go with a high of 67ºF.

Accidentally posted the forecast for the wrong day, here is the correct forecast…. For tonight, expect cloudy skies with mild temperatures. As of 9:45pm (MST) the current temperature is 60ºF, which is exactly the same as this same time yesterday. With cloudy skies throughout the night, low temperatures will likely be in the upper 40’s to lower 50’s. A band of showers is currently seen to the SE of Yuma and is moving toward the ENE. This area of showers will likely continue through the night possibly bringing the area light rain during the late night hours into early Saturday morning.