WX says: SW U.S. Deserts/Plateau - Excellent Soaring peaking 07/04-06

A large high pressure aloft (500mb) is expanding over the SW U.S.
This typically causes high temperatures (in this case near record max
high temps), a suppressed marine layer and excellent soaring weather
to the Mojave Desert, Owens Valley and Western NV.

On Wed 07/04/07, the 500mb center will be near Northern AZ and
Southern UT bringing light S-SE flow aloft into the Sierras and Mojave
Desert. It is too early in the season for large amounts of monsoon
moisture and thunderstorms. However, high based CU (18,000 to 21,000)
will be common with a few thunderstorms producing little or no
significant precip in the High Sierra, Northern Owens Valley and
Western NV.

Early trigger times should occur in the Western Mojave Desert and
nearby mountains (say 10-11am local). Little or no "washout" from SW
stabilizing winds in the late afternoons into the Western Mojave
Deserts.

1000km flights are a definite possibility... with the best days on Wed
and Thur 07/04 and 07/05.

With the 500mb high center over Southern UT, trigger times there will
probably be greatly delayed from normal. Although afternoon max
thermal heights should also reach 18,000msl.

A slight downturn in soaring weather will occur on Fri and Sat as a
minor trough brings more of a SW light to moderate flow across the
Central and Northern Sierras.

Good lucks with you flights ...

Walt Rogers
Discus 2A, WX