Snow Totals:

Our most recent storm cycled produced moderate to heavy snow throughout the region with Mt. Baker and the North Cascades scoring the deepest totals.

Here are the 3-day storm totals by region as of early Wednesday morning:

Western Washington:

• 31" - Mt. Baker
• 19" - Alpental
• 15" - White Pass
• 12" - Stevens Pass
• 12" - Crystal Mountain
• 11" - Snoqualmie West
• 5" - Mission Ridge

Eastern Washington/Northern Idaho:

• 11" - Lookout Pass
• 10" - Schweitzer
• 9" - Silver Mountain
• 6" - 49º North
• 6" - Mt. Spokane

Oregon:

• 12" - Timberline
• 12" - Willamette Pass
• 10" - Mt. Bachelor
• 9" - Mt. Hood Meadows
• 5" - Mt. Hood Skibowl
• 5" - Hoodoo

Forecast for Wednesday:

A trailing weak disturbance is moving across the PNW with scattered light snow showers and flurries expected for most areas. Snow totals will generally be light throughout the region, ranging from zero to a couple of inches.

The one area that could do a little better is West Central Washington, where Stevens Pass and Snoqualmie/Alpental could potentially see up to 3-4 inches. 

Otherwise, snow levels will remain low throughout the PNW on Wednesday.

Forecast for Thursday to Saturday:

A ridge of high pressure will build over the Northwest during this period, resulting in our first multi-day dry spell in quite some time.

Temperatures are also going to warm up a bit during this 3-day dry and sunny period. This will not be a significant spring-time warm-up like we can occasionally see at this time of the year, but temperatures will be rising above freezing at most ski resorts in both the Cascades and Inland Northwest.

Highs will generally range from the mid to upper 30s with overnight lows ranging from the mid 20s to low 30s. Snow conditions from our recent storm will quickly transition to a more spring-like state during this period, with the best conditions expected during the afternoon hours once the snow has softened up a bit.

I will mention that the GFS Model is bringing in a disturbance from the southwest with light snow for the Cascades on Saturday afternoon. However, this model is an outlier at the moment and I think that dry conditions are more likely to prevail through Saturday.

Starting on Sunday (March 19th), we will head back into a more active pattern as high pressure breaks down.

The dominant storm track will be setting up further south across California and into the Central Rockies. However, we will still see frequent weaker storms reaching the PNW from the southwest with new shots of snow likely every 1-2 days throughout the week of March 19th-26th, and possibly beyond.

Temperatures are also going to be below average during this time with projected highs ranging from the mid 20s to low 30s. This will also result in low snow levels by late March standards, typically near or below base areas though I wouldn't rule out occasional rain mixing in near bases. 

Thanks so much for reading! Next update on Friday (March 17).

ALAN SMITH