Northwest Daily Snow

Short Term Forecast

A large trough of low pressure will approach California early this week, but a weaker "leading edge" trough will take a more northerly route across Oregon from late Sunday into Monday. South/southwest winds ahead of this leading edge trough will transport moisture into Oregon, while lesser amounts of moisture reach Washington from the south/southeast. 

Forecast for Western Washington:

Rain and snow showers will begin on Sunday afternoon with off-and-on showers continuing from Sunday night through Monday night.

Snow levels will initially start out as high as 4,500-5,000 feet on Sunday afternoon/evening with rain up to mid-mountain at many areas, before lowering to 3,500-4,000 feet later in the night. 

On Monday, snow levels will range from 3,500-4,500 feet, before lowering to 2,000-3,000 feet on Monday night.

Snow totals from Sunday through Monday night will generally range from 2-6 inches above 4,000 feet at Crystal Mountain, White Pass, and Mission Ridge, and a trace to 4 inches at Snoqualmie Pass, Stevens Pass, Mt. Baker, and Hurricane Ridge. 

Snow showers will remain possible on Tuesday and Wednesday but amounts will be light and spotty, ranging from 0 to 2 inches each day. Snow levels will generally range from 3,500-4,500 feet during the afternoon/evening hours and 2,500-3,500 feet during the overnight/morning hours.

Forecast for Eastern Washington/Northern Idaho:

This will not be a particularly noteworthy event for Inland Northwest with limited moisture reaching the area, though Southeast Washington and Bluewood will be relatively favored.

Scattered light snow and rain showers will begin late Sunday night and will be more numerous but still scattered in nature on Monday and Monday night.

Snow levels will generally range from 3,500-4,500 feet across most of the area from Sunday night through Monday evening, except for Schweitzer who will see lower snow levels in the 2,500-4,000 foot range. Light rain will be possible at times near the bases of some ski resorts. 

Snow totals are generally going to be light and spotty during this event, ranging from 0 to 2 inches for most areas. Bluewood should do a little better with 2-4 inches expected. 

Snow showers will remain possible on Tuesday and Wednesday but amounts will be light and spotty, ranging from 0 to 2 inches each day. Snow levels will generally range from 3,500-4,500 feet during the afternoon/evening hours and 1,500-2,500 feet during the overnight/morning hours.

Forecast for Oregon:

Rain and snow showers will initially begin on Sunday morning before picking up in coverage through Sunday afternoon. The heaviest and most widespread snow can then be expected on Sunday night and Monday morning before gradually tapering off on Monday afternoon and Monday night.

Snow levels will initially start out as high as 4,500-6,000 feet on Sunday afternoon/evening (highest south/lowest north) with rain making an appearance across the lower slopes of some ski areas, before lowering to 3,000-3,500 feet later in the night. On Monday, snow levels will range from 3,000-4,000 feet.

Snow totals from Sunday through Monday night will generally range from 4-10 inches across both the Cascades and the Blue Mountains. Monday will offer the best chance to catch some fresh turns.

Snow showers will remain possible on Tuesday and Wednesday but amounts will be light and spotty, ranging from 0 to 2 inches each day. Snow levels will generally range from 3,000-4,000 feet during the afternoon/evening hours and 1,500-2,500 feet during the overnight/morning hours.

Extended Forecast

The pattern will turn more active late in the week as two potentially stronger storms are projected to arrive from the Gulf of Alaska – the first around Thursday-Friday (March 23-24) and the second around Sunday-Monday (March 26-27). Snow levels are also projected to be fairly low for this late in the year.

Looking further out, an active pattern is expected to continue through the end of March and beginning of April with temperatures running below average.

Thanks so much for reading! Next update on Tuesday (March 21).

ALAN SMITH