Snowstorm of the Season: The northwestern US and portions of the Northern Plains are bracing for the season’s first substantial snowstorm, heralding the arrival of winter with an early blast of icy conditions. Anticipated to linger until the final snowflake settles, this wintry episode is expected to blanket numerous high-altitude regions under more than a foot of fresh snow.
A surge of cold air combined with rich moisture is slated to sweep across Washington, Oregon, and extend through a significant portion of Montana during Tuesday. A potent storm, scheduled to descend on the Northwest on Tuesday night, will set off the snowfall as early as Monday night or Tuesday morning. The Cascades in Washington, especially at higher elevations, are likely to encounter disruptive snow, potentially leading to tricky travel conditions. Several crucial high-elevation mountain passes, including Stevens Pass, Snoqualmie Pass, and Stampede Pass, are all projected to face possible disruptions.
The snowfall is expected to intensify over the northwestern US on Tuesday afternoon and evening, encompassing portions of Idaho and Montana as well as the Oregon Cascades. With temperatures struggling to rise above freezing, accumulating snowfall will likely envelop these areas.
The onset of Tuesday night will bring a sharp decline in temperatures, pushing many high-altitude locations to plummet well below freezing. Northern Idaho will witness temperatures dropping into the teens, while parts of northwestern Montana are expected to hit single-digit temperatures by early Wednesday morning.
The combination of freezing temperatures and abundant moisture will create conditions conducive for heavy snowfall on Tuesday night, particularly in high-altitude regions. The Cascades, above 7,000 feet, could accumulate six inches or more of snow, with some areas even expecting nearly a foot of snowfall.
Subsequently, snow accumulations are projected to rise across the Northwest and northern Rockies on Wednesday, accompanied by an increase in wind speeds. The blowing snow could lead to significantly reduced visibility, further complicating travel arrangements.
While the most substantial snowfall is predicted in the highest elevations, lower elevation regions in Washington, Montana, and South Dakota will not escape wintry weather entirely. Some areas may witness a few inches of snow accumulation down to 1,000 feet, while Seattle is expected to experience a spell of chilly rain.
The snowfall is expected to taper off across the Cascades by Thursday but will then spread to portions of the northern Plains as the storm progresses eastward. South Dakota is bracing for more than a foot of heavy snowfall on Thursday and into Thursday night.
Additionally, a Snowstorm of the Season meltdown during the day could lead to potential freezing overnight, resulting in treacherous icy conditions along roadways and sidewalks. By Friday, significant snow accumulation is likely to cease across much of the northern US, although some snowfall is anticipated along the US-Canada border as the storm fully transitions into southern Canada. Source thedailycourierng news