It's all about the wind direction

As of Saturday night, April 11, 2009, a big low-pressure system is in the 4-corners area and headed for the Texas Panhandle. The trip will take it across northern New Mexico during the day on Sunday, and that's when we'll see our best chance for rain and snow (and fog).

As I've mentioned in previous posts, when moist air is forced uphill, precipitation increases; moving downhill causes it to warm and dry, and the storm is less powerful, so it's all about the wind direction.

With the storm over the 4-Corners area, the bands of rain and snow have been flowing in from the south and southwest, that's downhill for Colorado Springs and Pueblo (but uphill for some of the mountain locations.

As the center of the storm finds its way to northern New Mexico, the counter-clockwise winds swirling around it will switch to the southeast, then to the northeast as it heads for Texas. That's when we have our best chance for that moisture you lawn needs.

Southeasterly winds enhance the storm for most of us, while northeasterly winds favor the Palmer Divide, Wet Mountains (and Wet Mountain Valley). Teller County and the Sangre de Cristo's could also pick up a good "shot" of snow.

The key for how strong the storm is where you are is..."is the wind moving uphill or downhill to get to my house?".

By the way, northerly winds (not northeasterly...that's a whole different situation) are moving downhill from Colorado Springs to Pueblo, which means minimal rain/snow for both cities.

Happy Easter! and good luck finding those eggs (I hope many of them are Chocolate )