Snow in Forecast as first Winter Weather Advisory of the season issued for Snoqualmie Valley

[Article by North Bend resident Mark Davis, who also runs www.northbendweather.com]

Our first winter weather advisory for the valley is upon us. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for the East Puget Sound Lowlands starting at midnight tonight and set to expire at 8AM Sunday, November 5th.

These time predictions can fluctuate depending if the moisture moves in sooner or later. As of now, they’re calling for a trace to 3 inches above 500 feet. If a cold pocket happens, it could drop the snow level even lower and you could get more than the 3 inches.

The terrain out here in the Snoqualmie Valley changes from one mile to the next. Here are a few general elevations for the area:

Downtown North Bend: 440’
Wilderness Rim: 1042’
Downtown Snoqualmie: 427’
Snoqualmie Ridge: 849’
Fall City: 108’

We also have many different micro climates out here, which makes it very difficult to predict who’s going to get more snow than others. Just last year I remember during a Friday evening commute, the snow setup camp closer to North Bend. It was not predicted at all. During that event, downtown Snoqualmie got about 6 inches of snow, meanwhile downtown North Bend got about 10 inches.

Just be prepared for anything, as anything can happen out here.

As winter approaches, this would be a good time to stock up on batteries, water and food. They say you should have enough water and food for every person in your house for at least 3 days if the power happens to go out. This would also be a good time to make sure your generator is set to go for the winter If you have one.

Grab yourself some hot chocolate, the first of the winter weather is approaching.