000 
FNUS56 KLOX 041547
FWFLAX
GEOGRAPHICAL AREA COORDINATION CENTER
INTERAGENCY FIRE FORECAST AND WARNING UNIT
RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA
FIRE WEATHER FORECAST
0930 pdt Saturday May 4, 2002
                                                                      
INYO/MONO                                         

SYNOPTIC DISCUSSION...
A weak northwesterly flow aloft will maintain mild daytime temperatures and low 
humidities over the region through the first half of next week.  Unstable conditions
today will allow isolated thunderstorms to develop each afternoon over the higher 
terrain this afternoon.  Winds will be generally light, except for typical canyon and 
valley winds afternoon and evenings.

Note: All winds are 20-FOOT WINDS unless specified otherwise
      THUNDERSTORMS imply STRONG, GUSTY and ERRATIC winds.
   
************************NORTHERN MOUNTAINS*********************
ELEVATIONS ABOVE 5000 FT FROM BIG PINE NORTH TO THE VICINITY OF
MONO LAKE
  
Today...
Sky/Weather: Mostly sunny, becoming partly cloudy in the afternoon with a slight 
chance of thunderstorms.
Max Temps: Upper 50s to mid 60s.
Min Humidity: 15-25%.
Winds: Ridgetop winds, west to northwest 7 to 15 mph. Along the slopes, 
upslope/upcanyon 6 to 12 mph.
LAL 1-2.

Tonight...
Sky/Weather: Partly cloudy with a slight chance of thunderstorms, clearing around 
sunset.
Low Temps: 25 to 35.
Max Humidity: 80-100%.
Winds: Ridgetop winds, west to northwest 7 to 15 mph. Along the slopes,
downslope/downcanyon 4 to 8 mph.

*********************SOUTHERN MOUNTAINS*********************
ELEVATIONS ABOVE 5000 FT FROM BIG PINE SOUTH

Today...
Sky/Weather: Partly cloudy in the afternoon with a slight chance of thunderstorms north.
Max Temps: Upper 50s to mid 60s.
Min Humidity: 15-25%.
Winds: Ridgetop winds, west to northwest 7 to 15 mph. Along the slopes, 
upslope/upcanyon 6 to 12 mph.
LAL 1-2.

Tonight...
Sky/Weather: A slight chance of a thunderstorm north early, then clear.
Low Temps: Upper 20s to upper 30s.
Max Humidity: 70-90%.
Winds: Ridgetop winds, west to northwest 7 to 15 mph. Along the slopes,
downslope/downcanyon 4 to 8 mph.

*************************NORTHERN VALLEYS************************
VALLEYS NORTH OF BISHOP, INCLUDING BENTON, HAMMIL AND 
CHALFANT VALLEYS

Today...
Sky/Weather: Mostly sunny.
Max Temps: Upper 70s.
Min Humidity: 10-20%.
Winds: West to northwest 4 to 8 mph, becoming southeast to southwest 10 to 20 
mph late morning and afternoon.
LAL 1.

Tonight...
Sky/Weather: Clear.
Low Temps: Mid 30s to low 40s.
Max Humidity: 40-55%.
Winds: Becoming west to northwest 5 to 10 mph by sunset.

*************************SOUTHERN VALLEY*************************
OWENS VALLEY FROM BISHOP SOUTH TO NEAR LITTLE LAKE

Today...
Sky/Weather: Sunny.
Max Temps: Upper 70s to low 80s.
Min Humidity: 10-20%.
Winds: Northwest to northeast 5 to 10 mph, becoming southeast to southwest 10 to 
20 mph late morning and afternoon.
LAL 1.

Tonight...
Sky/Weather: Clear.
Low Temps: Upper 30s to mid 40s.
Max Humidity: 40-55%.
Winds: Becoming west to northwest 6 to 12 mph by sunset.

*********************************************************************
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Forecast for Sunday...
Mostly sunny, except some afternoon clouds over the mountains.  Little change in 
temperature or humidity.  Highs in the upper 50s and 60s mountains and in 70s to low
80s in the valleys. Winds west to northwest 8 to 15 mph, except southeast to southwest 5 to 15
mph in the afternoons over the valleys.

********************************************************************* 
The Outlook for Monday through Wednesday...
Partly cloudy, cooler and windy. Winds southwest to west 15 to 25 mph and gusty in the
afternoons.

*************************************************************************** 
The Extended Outlook for Thursday May 9 thru Monday May 13...
Temperatures............A little below normal.
(Bishop normals 79/42)
Precipitation.............A chance of showers about Friday, mainly over the mountains.
Significant Winds.....Gusty southwest to west winds each afternoon through Saturday.

*********************************************************************      
The 30 day outlook for May...
Temperature: Above normal.
Precipitation: Near normal.

The 90-day Outlook for May-July...
Temperatures: Above normal.
Precipitation: Near normal.

The next 30 and 90 day outlooks will be available on the afternoon of May 16th.

*********************************************************************   
WINDS ALOFT FORECAST FOR BISHOP VALID 1600 PST TODAY.
24,000 FEET 260/25 KTS   39,000 FEET 250/30 KTS   53,000 FEET 260/40 KTS

*********************************************************************    
End/Coffer