A trough of low pressure originating in the Gulf of Alaska worked its way into the Pacific Northwest over the weekend, ushering in moisture and colder-than-average temperatures for this time of year. Snow has been accumulating across the Cascades down and parts of the Interior Northwest since Sunday with snow levels dipping as low as 4,500 feet.

Check out the snowy scene at Paradise Ranger Station (elevation 5,400 feet) in Mount Rainier National Park on the morning of Monday, June 19th:

The Oregon Cascades received snow on Sunday and Sunday night as well, with Timberline Lodge reporting 3 inches of new snow as of Monday morning. Due to snowy and wet conditions, Timberline's bike park and lifts will be closed for the day on Monday.

Heading inland, snow has also been falling down to ski resort elevations across parts of Northern and Central Idaho. Check out the snow stake cam at Tamarack on Monday morning:

Temperatures have been well below average across the Pacific Northwest on Sunday/Monday. However, high-elevation snow in the Cascades and Rockies is not at all unusual during the month of June. 

The Paradise Ranger Station below Mount Rainier, which has records dating back over 100 years, averages 5.9 inches of snow during the month of June. During June of 2008, which was an exceptionally cool and wet June across the Northwest, Paradise received an impressive 34.5 inches of snow! 

Snow and Needed Moisture Across Canada:

British Columbia and Alberta have also received high-elevation snow in recent days with numerous ski resorts picking up several centimeters.

Overall moisture (rain and snow) over the past few days has been a welcome occurrence during what has been a severe spring/early summer fire season. The recent moisture has also helped to temper fire behavior and smoke activity.

Here are some snowy scenes from ski resorts across Western Canada as of Monday morning, June 19th:

Kicking Horse:

Revelstoke:

Banff Sunshine:

When Will This Cool and Snowy/Wet Pattern End?

If you're itching to hit the trails this week, the good news is that the new snow will melt quickly and trail conditions should dry out later this week. Wet conditions with valley rain showers and light high-elevation snow showers will persist on Monday and across parts of Wyoming/Montana on Tuesday before warming up in the days to follow.

Be grateful for the moisture, though, as the Pacific Northwest and Western Canada have experienced an unseasonably hot and dry spring up until this point.