More Heavy Rain and Mountain Snow Targeting the Pacific Northwest

There is no rest for the storm weary in the northwestern corner of the country. Two different storm systems are forecast to push ashore from the Pacific Ocean into the western U.S. next week, bringing more rain to the lower elevations and snow to the higher terrains. Here is a closer look at the timing of these weather events.

Winter Storm Season Underway in the Pacific Northwest

The winter storm season in the Pacific Northwest is roaring in with great intensity. Two more weather makers are set to impact the region into next week on the heels of the past few days of unsettled conditions. Colder air circulating into the Northwest will mean that snow levels will fall low enough to translate to wintry weather for some of the most traveled mountain passes in Washington, Oregon, and Northern California.

Friday brought a slight break in the moisture machine for the Northwest but another system is forecast to track into the area late Saturday. The interior portions of the West are expecting to see significant snowfall out of this weekend storm. For instance, up to 6 inches of new accumulation is in the forecast for the top peaks of the Clearwater, Bighorn, Wasatch, and Bitterroot mountains.

An influx of warmer air early Sunday will force the transition from snow to rain across some parts of the Cascades in Washington state. However, another surge of colder temperatures to close out the weekend will bring the lingering rain back to snow for some areas.

Snow levels will plummet in the Cascades late Sunday and into Monday, delivering the flakes to elevations as low as 1,500 feet at times. Should this forecast come to fruition, it could be a rough go on the passes over the Cascades on Sunday and Monday.

Up to a foot of snow is expected at pass level across the Cascade Mountains. Motorists need to be aware that passes may be forced to close to travel if the snow comes down at a fast enough clip that road crews cannot keep up.

For instance, Snoqualmie Pass on Washington's Interstate 90 is expecting 3 to 5 inches of new snow overnight Sunday and into Monday. Another 1 to 3 inches is in the forecast on Monday with the snow expected to stick around into the overnight hours and into Tuesday.