Forecast for Western Washington:

Conditions will remain dry and mild on Wednesday night and into the day on Thursday with highs reaching the mid 30s on Thursday afternoon. However, winds will become gusty out of the northwest on Thursday afternoon and clouds will also be on the increase as a storm approaches.

The storm will arrive from the northwest on Thursday night with snow falling during the overnight hours and on Friday morning before ending by Friday afternoon. Strong northwest winds on Thursday night will gradually decrease as the day progresses on Friday.

Snow levels will range from 2,000-3,000 feet up north around Mt. Baker, but will be in the 3,000-4,000 foot range for the remainder of the Cascades from Stevens to White Pass. As a result, Snoqualmie Pass will see a rain/snow mix near the base.

Snow totals on Thursday night-Friday will range from 3-6 inches at ski resorts across the Cascades, while Mission Ridge while a strong shadowing effect on the east side of the Cascades will result in little to no snow for Mission Ridge. Snowfall also looks minimal across the Olympic Range.

Following a lull on Friday afternoon and Friday evening, an arctic cold front will move across Washington on Saturday with a band of snow likely to track from north to south across the state through the day. This snowfall will likely be shorter-lived and will also involve northeast winds, which will favor the east side of the Cascades more than the west side.

Snow levels will be much lower with this round as arctic air filters in, ranging from 500-1,500 feet. However, light snowfall will be the limiting factor for most areas.

Baker may only pick up a dusting as the little bit of moisture we have is expected to remain too far east. Most areas from Stevens to White Pass will pick up 1-3 inches.

Mission Ridge will be more favored on the east side and should pick up 3-6 inches of low density powder. Hurricane Ridge on the north side of the Olympics could also pick anywhere from zero to several inches depending on how far west the moisture axis associated with the front extends (remember, this storm will be arriving from the north/northeast, and not the typical westerly direction).

Most of Saturday's snow will happen during the daytime hours with a drying trend expected on Saturday night.

Forecast for Eastern Washington/Northern Idaho:

Conditions will remain dry on Wednesday night and into the day on Thursday with highs reaching the upper 20s to low 30s on Thursday afternoon. However, winds will become gusty out of the northwest on Thursday and clouds will also be on the increase as a storm approaches.

The storm will arrive from the northwest late Thursday night with most of the action happening during the daytime hours on Friday, followed by lingering snow showers on Friday night. Winds will gusty initially on Friday morning but will decrease over the course of the day.

Snow levels will be below base areas, ranging from 2,000-3,000 feet for most areas, and 2,500-4,000 feet in Southeast Washington around Bluewood.

Northwest winds will favor the I-90 corridor and MT border region in the Idaho Panhandle with 5-10 inches of snow at Silver Mountain and Lookout Pass. Bluewood will also pick up 3-8 inches. Snow totals will be lighter for areas further north and west, ranging from 1-3 inches at Schweitzer, 49 North, and Mt. Spokane. 

I would target Friday afternoon and Saturday morning for the best skiing conditions.

On Saturday morning, an arctic cold front will move across Washington on Saturday with a short-lived band of snow likely to track from north to south across the region through the day. This snowfall will involve northeast winds, which are unfavorable for most ski resorts in the Inland Northwest.

Most areas will see only a quick dusting as the arctic front passes through, while Lookout Pass may be able to squeeze out another inch or two.

Further south, the band of snow should intensify a bit as it approaches the Oregon border in response to a strengthening area of low pressure near the Coast. As a result, Bluewood could pick up another 2-6 inches of snow on Saturday.

Snow could linger around Bluewood and SE Washington into early Saturday evening, then all areas will dry out overnight with cold temperatures as arctic air settles into the area.

Forecast for Oregon:

Conditions will remain dry and mild on Wednesday night and into the day on Thursday with highs reaching the upper 30s to low 40s on Thursday afternoon in the Cascades and low 30s in the Blues. Increasing clouds and winds can be expected across the Hood region by Thursday afternoon.

A storm will arrive late Thursday night with snow showers expected on Friday and Friday night, mainly over the northern half of the state as most of the moisture and energy associated with this storm will pass north of the Washington border. 

Snow levels will range from 3,000-4,000 feet on Friday, which is below the base of most ski resorts except for Hood Skibowl, who will see a rain/snow mix at the base.

Snow totals on Friday-Friday night will range from 2-4 inches at the Hood resorts and 3-6 inches across the Blue Mountains including Anthony Lakes. Further south, Hoodoo may pick up an inch or two with only light dustings at the most for Bachelor and Willamette Pass.

Light snow showers will remain possible across Northern Oregon on Saturday morning, then an arctic cold front will move across Oregon on Saturday afternoon/evening from north to south along with an associate band of snowfall.

Winds associated with this frontal snow band will be out of the northeast, which will favor the eastern slopes of the Cascades with enough moisture for decent snowfall at most ski areas. 

Snow levels will quickly drop to below 1,000 feet as the front moves through, and the snow that falls will be drier and more powdery than usual.

The Hood resorts could pick up anywhere from 3-8 inches out of this on Saturday-Saturday night, while Bachelor will end up with 2-6 inches and Willamette Pass 1-3 inches. Anthony Lakes could also pick up 1-3 inches with higher amounts further north in the Blue Mountains.

I would target Sunday morning for the best skiing conditions but be prepared for cold temperatures behind the arctic front.

Outlook for Sunday (Jan 30) to Tuesday (Feb 1):

Cold and dry conditions will take hold during this period behind Saturday's arctic cold front. Sunday will be the coldest day with significant moderation expected by Tuesday, at least for the Cascades. The Inland Northwest will be slower to warm up.

Outlook for February 2nd-8th:

I'm expecting a more active pattern to set up during this period with a west/southwest flow developing, which should transport Pacific moisture into the region. As a result, we should see more frequent storms compared to recent weeks.

Also, temperatures should gradually moderate over this period but remain on the cooler side of average with relatively low snow levels expected more often than not. 

Thanks so much for reading! Next update on Friday (Jan 27).

ALAN SMITH