With winter simply across the nook, the primary indicators are showing within the Pacific Northwest—snow is starting to mud the best peaks, signaling the beginning of the season. This week, we’re taking a look at two storm techniques that can carry a mixture of rain and snow, with vital snowfall attainable at increased elevations.
TL;DR FORECAST SUMMARY
- First Wave (Monday): Delicate and heat with snow ranges above 9,500 ft. Count on 0.25 to 1 inch of rain, principally affecting British Columbia & northern Washington and pushing southward.
- Second Wave (Wednesday-Friday): Begins with rain as much as 6,500 ft, however snow ranges will drop steadily. Snow totals of 5-15 inches above 4,000 ft, with increased quantities at volcanic summits.
- Wanting Forward: Potential for an additional system arriving this weekend, although depth and temperatures are nonetheless unsure.
First Wave (Monday)
The primary wave of precipitation arrives Monday morning, beginning in British Columbia and progressively pushing south and east all through the day and into the evening. This preliminary wave shall be gentle and heat, with snow ranges sitting above 9,500 ft—that means most ski resorts shall be seeing rain as a substitute of snow. Precipitation quantities are anticipated to be on the lighter facet, ranging between 0.25 to 1 inch of rain throughout the area. Under is the ECMWF projected collected rainfall by Wednesday morning (finish of the primary wave):
Second Wave (Wednesday-Friday)
The second wave arrives sizzling on the heels of the primary, transferring in as the primary wave’s precipitation diminishes on Wednesday morning. It begins off heat once more, with rain falling as much as 6,500 ft, however snow ranges will drop steadily all through the storm. By the point it’s wrapping up on Friday morning, snow ranges ought to be right down to about 3,500 ft within the north round Mt. Baker, and 4,500 ft within the south close to Mt. Bachelor.
Snow totals will vary from 5-15 inches within the mountains above 4,000 ft, with pretty even distribution from north to south. Nonetheless, the best totals are seemingly for the excessive peaks of the North Cascades in Washington. By Friday night, listed here are projected totals at mid-mountain elevations of a number of ski areas within the area:
- Mt. Baker: 8-12″
- Stevens Go: 4-8″
- Alpental: 4-8″
- Crystal Mountain: 2-5″
- Mt. Hood Timberline: 8-12″
- Mt. Bachelor: 3-6″
The most important limiter for snow accumulation would be the gentle temperatures, leading to rain and moist, heavy snow for a lot of the storm at most elevations. That stated, localized spots with out this temperature subject might see a lot increased totals. The summits of the volcanoes, particularly, might stack up some spectacular—although principally unverifiable—snow quantities:
- Mt. Baker: 35-45″
- Mt. Rainier: 25-35″
- Mt. Hood: 15-25″
- Mt. Bachelor: 5-15″
Wanting Forward
There’s good potential for an additional system rolling on this weekend, beginning Friday evening. Climate fashions, akin to GFS and ECMWF, are nonetheless not in settlement on precipitation depth or temperature, so it’s too early to forecast totals. Keep watch over it because the weekend approaches—there might be extra snow on the best way!
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