Winter Storm Warning Continues for Cascades
Urgent - Winter Weather Message
National Weather Service Seattle Wa
425 am pst Thu Jan 1 2009
Winter Storm Warning remains in effect for the Olympics and North and Central Cascades until 4 am pst Friday...
A vigorous pacific frontal system will bring 1 to 2 feet of new snow to the Olympics and Cascades today and tonight. Rising snow levels will cause the snow to change to rain in some areas this afternoon and evening. Windy conditions and an extreme avalanche hazard will also accompany the heavy precipitation.
The snow level will be around 1500 feet this morning. However an approaching warm front will cause the snow level to rise to around 5000 feet over the Olympics and central Cascades this afternoon and evening...and to around 3000 feet over the north Cascades. A cold front will move through the region tonight...with the snow level falling to 1000 to 2000 feet overnight as precipitation tapers off.
The heaviest precipitation will occur over the south slopes of the Olympics and over the central Washington Cascades in Lewis and Thurston counties. However that is also where the snow levels will climb the most...with precipitation falling mostly as rain below 5000 feet this afternoon and evening. Precipitation will not be quite as heavy in the north cascades...but it will remain generally as snow at 3000 feet above for the entire event.
In general snowfall totals of 1 to 2 feet are expected today and tonight...but there will significant variation from one area to another. Elevations above 6000 feet in the central Cascades...on Mount Rainier for example...could receive 3 or 4 feet of new snow.
Motorists traveling into the Olympics and Cascades should be prepared for difficult and hazardous driving conditions...lengthy delays...and possible road closures for avalanche control.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
A Winter Storm Warning for heavy snow means significant snowfall is occurring or imminent. Significant amounts of snow will make travel hazardous. Only travel in an emergency. If you must...keep flashlights...food...water...and blankets in your vehicle in case of an emergency.
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