We have a major change in our weather ahead, with cooling temperatures, heavy snow in the mountains, and snowflakes reaching sea level over portions of western Washington.
One system comes through on Saturday, laying down 6-11 inches over the central and northern Cascades and substantial snow over the northern section of eastern Washington (see snowfall totals through 1 PM Saturday). Northwest Washington gets a piece of it (particularly from Bellingham towards the Fraser River Valley). A few flakes in the air over Puget Sound.
Sunday will be dry, followed by a potent low moving through on Monday (see the sea level pressure map at 4 AM Monday). Strong winds will occur along the coast and cold air in place over the interior.
The low will track southeastward on Monday producing lots of snow in the Cascades and more than a dusting over Northwest Washington, with Bellingham also getting strong northeasterly winds out of the Fraser River Valley (the 24-h snowfall accumulation ending 4 PM Monday is shown below). Puget Sound will be fine. Skiers should prepare their gear.
More detail about the event is found in my podcast, which also describes the unusual conditions needed to produce a major western Washington or western Oregon snow event.
You can listen to the podcast below or through your favorite podcast server.
What are the chances of a major snowstorm this year? I am hopeful for at least a week of it. I love the snow!
ReplyDeleteWish I lived a lot closer to Bellingham, Mt. Baker will be awesome for some runs!
ReplyDeleteIt's a Hood Canal snow event...
ReplyDeleteHere at 500' above the canal we look to be getting our snow !!!
Woohoo! I love Cliff Mass's blog, I feel smarter after reading it!
ReplyDeleteSo, very high tide Monday (16.6ft @ Oly @ 745AM) and extreme low atmospheric pressure? and rain from storm water, and winds backing up the straight? Sounds worrisome for those along the shorelines. Am I wrong?
ReplyDelete