Seattle, WA
40°
Partly cloudy
Feels like:30°
Dew point:34°
Humidity:79%
Barometer:29.91 in ↑
Visibility:10.0 mi
Wind:S at 21 mph
Home Weather 

Story

Heavy Snow Forecast For Mountains

Posted: 4:30 pm PDT March 23, 2009Updated: 6:30 pm PDT March 24, 2009

Comment On This Story ››

SEATTLE -- Winter is hanging on in much of Washington state. The National Weather Service has issued winter storm watches for much of the state Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday morning.

Heavy snow is forecast to develop in the Cascades late Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday morning as a strong jet stream moves across the area.

Winter continues to hang on in Washington, with 10 to 20 inches of snow is forecast in the Cascade Range. As much as a foot of snow is expected in the Blue Mountains in the southeast part of the state.

“If you're going travel the pass tonight or Wednesday morning you definitely want to be prepared for delays for avalanche control, for snow and ice on the roadway -- and just bring some patience and good tires,” said WSDOT avalanche forecaster John Stimberis.

A winter weather advisory means that periods of snow will cause travel difficulties so drivers should be prepared for slippery roads and limited visibilities.

A winter storm watch means there is a potential for significant snow that may impact travel.

Copyright 2009 by KIROTV.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

5-Day Forecast

Pinpoint 5-Day Forecast
Current weather for your city:
Go

Detailed Forecast

Rebecca Stevenson
Rebecca Stevenson is Chief Meteorologist for KIRO 7 Eyewitness News. Stevenson holds the Seal of Approval from the American Meteorological Society (AMS) and the National Weather Association.
Meteorologist Profile

Weather to Expect:

Numerous showers and a risk of thunderstorms in western Washington tonight as a trough of low pressure moves through.
Showers will continue overnight into Saturday morning, temperatures will be chilly in the morning in the low to mid 30s. The showers will be locally heavy within a convergence zone which poses the risk of wet snow mixing with rain within the zone. The snow level is near 1,500 feet so that it would not be difficult for a heavy shower to bring wet snow as low as 1,000 feet. That would bring the potential to locations like Cougar mountain, Issaquah Alps and Tiger mountain through early Saturday morning. Accumulation is not expected but it would make for slippery roads in the higher elevations.
A new frontal system, storm #5, will bring increasing rain and breezy winds Saturday afternoon and evening. The storm will not be as powerful as the last 4 but will make itself known with more rain on top of already saturated soils. Highs will be cool in the 40s.
Sunday will begin with scattered showers which will decrease through the afternoon. More sunbreaks are expected and highs will be in the mid 40s.

Be prepared for winter driving in the passes. A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for the Cascades through 6am as snow showers will bring an additional 6-10" of snow overnight....especially in the convergence zone between Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass. ~Rebecca

3 - Day Forecast
Sat
Rain
45
Sun
Showers
47
Mon
Wind and Rain
48
Seattle Metropolitan Area
Weather to Expect:

Numerous showers and a risk of thunderstorms in western Washington tonight as a trough of low pressure moves through.
Showers will continue overnight into Saturday morning, temperatures will be chilly in the morning in the low to mid 30s. The showers will be locally heavy within a convergence zone which poses the risk of wet snow mixing with rain within the zone. The snow level is near 1,500 feet so that it would not be difficult for a heavy shower to bring wet snow as low as 1,000 feet. That would bring the potential to locations like Cougar mountain, Issaquah Alps and Tiger mountain through early Saturday morning. Accumulation is not expected but it would make for slippery roads in the higher elevations.
A new frontal system, storm #5, will bring increasing rain and breezy winds Saturday afternoon and evening. The storm will not be as powerful as the last 4 but will make itself known with more rain on top of already saturated soils. Highs will be cool in the 40s.
Sunday will begin with scattered showers which will decrease through the afternoon. More sunbreaks are expected and highs will be in the mid 40s.

Be prepared for winter driving in the passes. A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for the Cascades through 6am as snow showers will bring an additional 6-10" of snow overnight....especially in the convergence zone between Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass. ~Rebecca