Northwest Daily Snow
By Larry Schick, Forecaster Posted 8 years ago November 30, 2015
Snowy Pattern
NW Open Snow Headlines
High pressure weakens, lows move in
Active weather pattern unfolds
NW Open Snow Inside Story
Our recent dry pattern is ending. The pattern was caused by a persistent high-pressure area, which now is changing, allowing a low pressure to move in. The snowless weather pattern of the last week will end with a bang, as the gates open to an unsettled weather pattern. The transition will be slow so don’t expect any significant snow until later Tuesday and Wednesday – but we'll see a little later today.
Although the models show several storms lined up from Wednesday through Sunday, the timing has been variable. The snow level will be between 2500 – 4000ft, possibly 5000 ft on Saturday for a short time (weak atmospheric river ). Each weather system in the series has a warm sector (SL 3000-5000ft) followed by a cold sector (SL 2500-3500ft), so there will be some low elevation rainfall, from time to time. But also expect some low elevation snowfall. Total snowfall from Wednesday – Sunday above 4500ft will be 10” - 20” ft. (below 4500ft: 2-10").
Whistler will benefit the most, as the greatest cold and accumulations will be north and their elevations are generally a tad higher on the upper mountain.
In the extended forecast, beyond next weekend, the models continue a series of storms headed our way – so the pattern is looking good for additional snowfall.
Larry Schick
Meteorologist -- Open Snow NW Territory