This afternoon I biked home in light snow and it was magical. And the Northwest will enjoy a lot of snowflake magic during the next week.
Tonight (Monday) it is cold enough to snow with any significant precipitation intensity.
The latest radar shows two precipitation snowbands from two convergence zones: one downstream of the Olympics and the other downwind of the mountains of Vancouver Island (see below). Snow is being observed in both.
The latest NOAA HRRR model forecast predicts more snow in these two bands (see the one-hour snowfall ending at midnight below). Perhaps an inch in favored areas. But nothing that will really cause much of a problem in the western lowlands.
But the big action is still ahead…not for the lowlands, but for the mountains. Very heavy snowfalls. And then another chance for lowland snow on Sunday.
Tomorrow afternoon a vigorous Pacific warm front will move across our coast, bringing strong, moist southwesterly winds that will push up local terrain. The map at around 5000 ft (850 hPa pressure) on Wednesday morning at 4 AM illustrates the situation. Very strong winds from the southwest at that level. This is a very wet pattern
No more snow at low elevations, but feet of snow will fall in the mountains. The accumulated snow total through 1 AM Thursday is shown below. 3 feet in some places
Later this week, a supercold upper-level trough will settle over our offshore waters, leaving western Washington and Oregon quite cold, with rain and snow showers even near sea level. Northern California gets hit hard with rain and snow.
All and all, very good news for West Coast water supplies and regional skiing.
