Dennis Mattinson, Sierra Atmospheric Forecaster, predicts a significant weather pattern change for the Owens Valley, Mammoth Lakes, Mono County, and Death Valley regions, beginning Sunday and extending into early next week. Residents should prepare for windy conditions on Saturday, followed by a chance of showers and a noticeable cool down starting Sunday and continuing through Tuesday.
This shift in weather is attributed to a cold front moving south on Sunday, which is expected to merge with moisture originating from Hurricane Rachel, currently positioned off the Southern California coast. The combination of these two systems will bring a dramatic departure from the conditions observed on October 8th, when highs were reaching into the upper 80s and even 90s in some parts of the region.
Temperatures are expected to drop considerably across the Eastern Sierra and Owens Valley. By Monday, the high temperature in Bishop is forecast to fall to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Mammoth Lakes will experience an even more pronounced cool down, with highs dropping to 46 degrees Fahrenheit. This contrasts sharply with the high of 87 degrees recorded in Bishop and 67 degrees in Mammoth Lakes on October 8th.
In addition to cooler temperatures and potential showers, high-elevation areas around Mammoth Mountain have a slight chance of seeing snow. Mattinson indicates that snow showers are possible in elevations ranging from 8,888 feet to 9,200 feet. This forecast highlights the impending change from the mild conditions experienced recently.
Current temperatures recorded on October 8th across various locations provide a baseline for understanding the extent of the approaching cool down. Bishop registered a high of 87 degrees and a low of 46 degrees. Big Pine also saw a high of 87 degrees, with a low of 49 degrees. Independence reported a high of 88 degrees and a low of 56 degrees. Lone Pine recorded similar conditions, with a high of 88 degrees and a low of 57 degrees. Further south, Olancha reached a high of 90 degrees, with a low of 61 degrees. Mammoth Lakes had a high of 67 degrees and a low of 44 degrees. Death Valley, known for its extreme temperatures, reported a high of 110 degrees and a low of 80 degrees.
Looking ahead, the forecast indicates that high pressure will build back into the area later next week. This suggests a return to more stable and possibly warmer conditions following the anticipated cool, wet, and windy period. For now, residents and visitors are advised to prepare for the significant change in atmospheric conditions expected over the coming days, starting with windy weather on Saturday and continuing with cooler temperatures and a chance of rain and high-elevation snow through early next week.
