The Week Ahead - Rain, Wind, Snow, Rain..What's Next ?...

A very active 24-hours of weather we've had, indeed!  ~3" of rain, near 40 mph wind gusts, followed by wet snow - bringing 1-2" in some of the foothill elevations last night before changing back over to rain this morning.  

Credit: Ben Tarkington, 12:30 am Sunday @ 870ft elevation (Snoqualmie Ridge)

I feel for the poor souls that were stuck for hours at the pass last night :(

NWS has extended a Winter Storm Watch for Snoqualmie pass through most of Monday, still snowing hard at times up there!

The Snoqualmie River is running high (~14k cfs) near the falls this morning but is not expected to reach flood stages.  Those levels still make for an excellent stop at the visitors center to witness this awesome force of nature!

This next week (3rd-10th) looks to bring more active weather.

For Sunday the story should be lingering showers, in the 30's but rising to low-mid 40's by mid afternoon.

Overnight we should see easterly winds pick up through the Cascade gaps (~30-40 mph) as the next frontal system moves in early Monday.  Winds should die down by mid-morning with lingering showers the remainder of the day.

Much of Tuesday looks to be a relative break from the action of late, but remain mostly overcast with scattered showers still a threat.  After sun down however we do see yet another frontal entry, kicking up gaps winds yet again, though this round looks less intense (~20-30 mph) at this point.  Rain continues into Wednesday, with heavier snow expected at Snoqualmie Pass.

We should see some break into Thursday from the active weather, maybe even a little sun!  

Models are in disagreement as to how long we could see some drier weather, potentially lasting into next weekend.  The base case scenario for now however is that another frontal system is expected to reach us Friday, bringing some showers but really kick up the gap winds through the Cascades into the Snoqualmie Valley.  Next weekend looks more unsettled with sun breaks but also shower activity. 

We're in the thick of winter now, also the windiest month for Snoqualmie Valley, historically speaking.

Have a great week!