Feet of snow to finally begin piling up in the mountains as relentless storms turn cooler
Scott Sistek 
5 day snowfall total forecast through Dec. 25.
These days there’s been lots of talk, excited or chagrined, about the numbers 6 and 7. Around here, we’re eager to finally have ditched the ‘5’.
Wednesday will end a 12-day streak of 50+ degree December days, a symptom of this relentless train of tropically infused atmospheric rivers that has left cities and towns full of water, roads and lawns full of tree debris, yet mountain ski resorts completely bare of snow.
We’re changing all three narratives now.
There is still some lingering effects from the latest storm Wednesday morning: Blizzard Warnings remain in effect in the mountains till noon; various wind alerts hold on till around 10 a.m. Nearly 400,000 electrical customers lost power overnight with Oak Harbor hitting a gust of 71 mph, Sequim hit 69, and Seattle and Renton each hit 51 mph. (I did not find a gust of 67 mph. Sorry kids…)
The westerly surge of wind did come down the Strait as advertised Tuesday night but while it gave a full punch to Whidbey and Camano Island, thankfully the brunt didn’t push as far inland as feared.
WHAT ABOUT THE FLOODING?
The extended forecast remains very wet. But as the main storm track now starts to drift to the south (atmospheric rivers are now forecast for Oregon later this week and then shifting into California next week), Western Washington will be on the cooler side of incoming storms for a long while.
Snow levels are now expected to remain at or below Snoqualmie Pass levels for the foreseeable future, which will alleviate the flooding problems as now all that incoming moisture will stick as snow as opposed to immediately searching for the closest river to flood.
There are no more “purple boxes” on the river flood map, which would signify any major flooding. The Skagit, Snohomish and Snoqualmie were among several still in moderate flooding but all rivers are receding now and should be back within their expected boundaries soon with no current threats of rising again. So focus can 100% shift to clean up efforts there.
WHAT ABOUT THE WIND?
We may still have periods of gusty winds as these subsequent systems roll through but they won’t be traditional windstorm-type storms. Last night should be the peak of the winds for a while.
WHAT ABOUT THE MOUNTAIN SNOWS?
This is where the focus of the weather impacts will turn now for the next several days with holiday travel getting under way. It will, honestly, remain very challenging to get across the mountains through the period with the combination of Stevens Pass’ extended closure and continued stormy weather forecast for the Cascades.
While in the lowlands it’s back to routine 40s and rain, it will be a parade of snowstorms in the mountains where travelers will just have to try to time the gap between storms to avoid snowfall.
It’s GREAT news for the ski resorts and our snowpack which should start to make up its deficit in a hurry, but not great news for drivers, especially those not as experienced with winter driving conditions.
Forecasts are for multiple feet of new snow in the mountains just even by early next week. (See map below — 4-5+ feet in the mountains by Christmas! Also — it’s so much snow it’s “leaking” snow on the map into the lowlands but that is likely just the model not having enough resolution to keep the colors in the elevated terrain. It’s like when your teen stuffs so many dirty clothes into the hamper it overflows into the outlying lowlands. Don’t ask where I got inspiration to write that this morning….)
But….
OK THEN, SO WHAT ABOUT LOWLAND SNOWS?
The weather pattern is trending cool-ish next week and possibly into the week after as storms now come from the west-northwest for a while. There is a 70-80% chance of rain or better each day through Christmas, but by around the 23rd or so, snow levels are starting to get down into the fringey-lowland levels.
It’s too early to start getting too excited about like White Christmases, but I will say it *won’t* be 50+ degrees…. Or maybe even not even 40+ degrees. Forget the 6 and 7, now kids are going to start rooting for 3s and 2s.