Seattle may receive more snow in one day than what normally occurs in an entire year.
A powerful storm, loaded with frigid arctic air is zeroing in on much of the Pacific Northwest, beginning Wednesday. A blanket of assorted winter storm watches, warnings and advisories are in effect for nearly the entire region covering the states of Washington, Idaho and much of Oregon.
What essentially amounts to a huge “arctic vortex” of extremely cold and moist air over Western Canada is further enhancing an extremely active polar jet stream over the Pacific Northwest, with winds aloft exceeding 150 mph. at 20 to 30 thousand feet beginning later this week continuing into next week. At the surface, a series of intense low pressure disturbances are forecast to track through the region bringing a barrage of snow, freezing rain and icy conditions beginning tomorrow. Seattle is bracing for a full-scale emergency, with what are termed inadequate facilities and resources to handle record-setting and sustained blizzard-like conditions forecast for the next two to three days. Up to a foot of snow may fall in and around the Seattle metro area.
Heavy snow is also expected across western coastal Oregon. Portland is expecting snow, beginning tomorrow with lesser amounts than the Seattle area. Strong winds are forecast over much of the region, and similar conditions are forecast for much of Idaho, with even heavier amounts of snow.
The pattern is expected to impact northern California as well. Winter weather advisories and warnings are in effect for the Mt. Shasta area, extending down through the high Sierra as far south as Sequoia National Park. This will be a major significant snow event for much of the high Sierra after a prolonged dry period.
Some rain is expected in the Los Angeles area from this sequence of storms. Light to moderate amounts of an inch or less are presently anticipated from each of several impulses expected to pass through the region beginning Friday and continuing into next week. Some snow is expected in local mountain areas at higher elevations above 7,000 feet.
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