Several inches of snow heading to Cascades this weekend
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SEATTLE -- All this recent talk about endless stretches of sunshine, the driest two months in Seattle ever, an El Nino primed to wipe out the winter storms has probably left skiers and snowboarders seriously bummed.
But cheer up, we've got some good news for you. Just don't go smiling to anyone who has to drive over the passes anytime soon.
Our first real shot of cold air is on its way for this weekend and into early next week, poised to bring the first decent mountain snows of the season.
The inaugural Winter Storm Warning has been issued for the mountains this autumn and is in effect from 11 p.m. Friday through 5 p.m. Saturday for the Olympics and Cascades above 3,000 feet.
As much as 4-8 inches of snow is possible although Snoqualmie Pass would be on the lower end of that forecast. But up above 5,000 feet, even more snow is expected -- perhaps up to a foot or more.
On the other hand, Stevens Pass could also reach around a foot thanks to some help from the Puget Sound Convergence Zone.
The mountain snow is courtesy of a large area of low pressure that has been "chillin' out" (literally and figuratively) in the Gulf of Alaska but is now dropping south to where it will park just off our coast. That will not only bring in much colder air from the Last Frontier but also plenty of moisture in the form of scattered showers.
In addition, strong westerly upper level winds will enhance the shower activity in the mountains as that air slams into the western slopes and its moisture is essentially wrung out like squeezing a sponge.
Snow levels will have dropped to 4,500 feet by late Friday and then down to 3,000 feet by early Saturday morning. Showers may start as rain in Snoqualmie Pass but will likely changeover to snow by morning.
In the lowlands, it's still all rain (we're not that far into autumn just yet) but it'll be chilly. Temperatures over the weekend will spend much of the day in the 40s -- maybe eke 50 or 51 at the buzzer -- amid a mix of showers and sunbreaks. The atmosphere is moderately unstable to where we could see a rogue strike of lightning as well.
Cold air with its 3,000-foot snow levels are expected to remain in place through the middle of next week, although as upper level winds weaken a bit, the mountains won't see as much snow, but light snow showers will remain in the forecast.
Long range forecasts bring some moderating warmer air toward the end of the week., but in the meantime, if you see a skier smiling a bit, you'll know why.
But cheer up, we've got some good news for you. Just don't go smiling to anyone who has to drive over the passes anytime soon.
Our first real shot of cold air is on its way for this weekend and into early next week, poised to bring the first decent mountain snows of the season.
The inaugural Winter Storm Warning has been issued for the mountains this autumn and is in effect from 11 p.m. Friday through 5 p.m. Saturday for the Olympics and Cascades above 3,000 feet.
As much as 4-8 inches of snow is possible although Snoqualmie Pass would be on the lower end of that forecast. But up above 5,000 feet, even more snow is expected -- perhaps up to a foot or more.
On the other hand, Stevens Pass could also reach around a foot thanks to some help from the Puget Sound Convergence Zone.
The mountain snow is courtesy of a large area of low pressure that has been "chillin' out" (literally and figuratively) in the Gulf of Alaska but is now dropping south to where it will park just off our coast. That will not only bring in much colder air from the Last Frontier but also plenty of moisture in the form of scattered showers.
In addition, strong westerly upper level winds will enhance the shower activity in the mountains as that air slams into the western slopes and its moisture is essentially wrung out like squeezing a sponge.
Snow levels will have dropped to 4,500 feet by late Friday and then down to 3,000 feet by early Saturday morning. Showers may start as rain in Snoqualmie Pass but will likely changeover to snow by morning.
In the lowlands, it's still all rain (we're not that far into autumn just yet) but it'll be chilly. Temperatures over the weekend will spend much of the day in the 40s -- maybe eke 50 or 51 at the buzzer -- amid a mix of showers and sunbreaks. The atmosphere is moderately unstable to where we could see a rogue strike of lightning as well.
Cold air with its 3,000-foot snow levels are expected to remain in place through the middle of next week, although as upper level winds weaken a bit, the mountains won't see as much snow, but light snow showers will remain in the forecast.
Long range forecasts bring some moderating warmer air toward the end of the week., but in the meantime, if you see a skier smiling a bit, you'll know why.
I enjoy the snow, always have and always will, especially when I get to see all those 4 wheel drive owners who believe they are invincible end up in a ditch.
Delays going over Snoqualmie what else is new. At Snoqualmie there are two seasons; winter and construction.
 @nwsportstilidie LOLLLLLLLLLLLLL
Cool Snow, Can not wait for the white stuff.
I noticed that the highest temperature in the Anchorage 10 day forecast is 37 degrees! Â Lowest is 18. Â So Scott's not kidding when he says it's chillin' out up north.
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snowwwwwww!
"As much as 4-8 inches of snow is possible..."
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Eight inches is "heavy mountain snow"?
 @Furd 'Eight inches is "heavy mountain snow"?'
Well, it's likely to be very wet, which does make it very heavy - especially on the branches.
 @Furd "Don't you understand? I LIVE ON A HILL!"Â
 @MVDad I live on a hill also, so what? The snow that is being forecasted is IN THE MOUNTAINS, not down here.
In Western WA, anything over 1/2" is considered heavy snow! ;-)
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 @Furd This early in the season, perhaps yes.
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(why are people so picky anyway? Who cares if it's described as "heavy" or whatever?)
 @Silvia Notice that they changed the headline to several inches.
Sydthepiper some people just aren't happy unless they are finding fault with others and you seem to be one of them. How about if you don't like what is said on the forecast here you try reading another one. Just like you asked Silvia not to read your posts!
Warning - avoid reading this article, it mentions the S word several times. Â And don't let your arms or legs hang over the edge of the bed, you know what's under there.
If I don't have to go to work...go ahead Snow,I like to see the white winter wonder land !
I love snow, but live in the lowlands and don't ski. So, snow here would be a great omen.
BRING IT ON!!!!! So excited about Winter Weather - I grew up in Alaska and miss it TERRIBLY!! :o)Â
@AlaskaGirl01Â You can always go back...
@Light and Harmony ...where's the LOVE "Light and Harmony"? LOL I do go back...every Summer to FISH!! BEYOND love Alaska - it's such an AMAZING and BEAUTIFUL place - really does take your breath away!! :o)
Yea!!! I'm ready for snow, bring it on!!!
 @alaska_dreamin Got my snowshoes ready fo this:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/donkjensen/8049320456/in/photostream
 @Star Shooter Absolutely gorgeous!Â
A goodie....a file picture of mountain snow 'cause none of know what it looks like....sheeesh.
....and no one apparently could possibly make a correlation between the season, and said snow in mountains.
Thank You KOMO, Thank You for informing us....I feel so much smarter now.
you seem to have some anger issues, chill out!!!
 @Sydthepiper But then - do we need pictures of many things that they show on the web? We all know what rainy weather looks like, what wrecked cars look like, what political candidates look like...If we (YOU) think the pictures are dumb, you can turn off the images on your browser so your poor, delicate little eyes won't have to look at such boring pictures.
 @Silvia ...if your poor delicate mind & eyes can't handle my sarcasm, stop reading my posts.
Good place for it!
yay!