WHEN WEATHER REPORTS SCARE >>>
AccuWeather just dropped this on the Weekly Volcano World Headquarters:
January 16, 2012 – State College, PA – After a modest round of wintry weather over the weekend, more snow, including a potentially historic winter storm will target the Pacific Northwest this week, with heavy accumulations expected, even in Seattle.
In the Cascades of Washington and Oregon, snow will be measured in feet and along some western-facing slopes, it could take multiple yard sticks to total up the powder!
The threat for major snow has been well-covered on AccuWeather.com since last week from Meteorologists Andy Mussoline, Alex Sosnowski, Brian Edwards and Ken Clark.
A cold Arctic outbreak thanks to frigid high pressure centered over southwestern Canada is providing the cold air for the snow, while an onshore flow from the Pacific is adding in the moisture.
With several rounds of moisture poised to move ashore, the snow will continue to come in phases as indicated by Edwards. The first round delivered more than 2 inches of snow to Seattle on Sunday, marking the first measurable snow of the season.
Another round will take shape later today, with much of western Washington and Oregon poised to experience accumulating snow again by tonight. In the Portland area, the snow will mix with rain, while plain snow is on tap again for Seattle and Bellingham.
By the end of Tuesday, at least 3 to 6 inches of the white stuff will be on the ground around the Emerald City, with heavier amounts along the hills to the east.
Vancouver, B.C., and adjacent areas stand to experience similar amounts.
The worst conditions will arrive across the Northwest later on Tuesday night and Wednesday as a moisture-laden and powerful storm slams ashore.
There are still some questions concerning how much warm air the storm will push inland, but the potential exists for an historic amount of snow in some areas, including the greater Seattle area, where more than a foot is a strong possibility. Eventually, a changeover to rain is expected on Wednesday.
Warming air should spare Portland and Eugene of significant snow totals altogether.
Characteristically, snow totals will be much higher in the Cascades and will threaten travel through major passes. As Ken Clark points out in his blog, several feet of snow is possible even at pass levels.
Snoqualmie and Sherman passes are at a relatively high risk of being closed during these snow events, especially with the storm expected to hit early on Wednesday.
Heavy snow amounts will also extend across inland and mountainous areas of eastern Oregon, Washington, Idaho and western Montana by midweek.
Back along the I-5 corridor from Portland to Bellingham, travel will be treacherous this week, and could turn out to be dangerous for a time midweek.
Though heavy snow is relatively rare, Seattle is not immune to significant snowstorms.
"Single day snowfall of 6 inches or greater has occurred on only 15 days since 1950, none since 1996," said Climatologist Jim Rourke.
"The top Seattle snowstorm was Feb. 1, 1916 when 21.5 inches piled up," added Rourke.
Senior Meteorologist Kristina Pydynowski points out another potential threat: major flooding.
"Despite the exact outcome of the snow in the middle of the week, a parade of warmer storms late next week that follow will deliver heavy rain, putting the Seattle area at risk for major flooding," said Senior Meteorologist Kristina Pydnowski.
Story by Bill Deger, AccuWeather.com Meteorologist.
If you have questions or want to speak with a meteorologist, please contact our 24-hour press hotline at (814) 235-8710 or email clitherow@accuweather.com.