If you’re heading toward Snoqualmie Pass this afternoon, bring your patience and probably chains. After picking up about a foot of new snow 
yesterday, February 15th, a second powerful winter storm is just hours away from the Pacific Northwest.
Unlike yesterday’s storm, this one is accompanied by cooler air, which means snow levels will sit below pass levels for the entire event. The National Weather Service has a Winter Storm Warning in place for mountain passes and says over another foot of snow is possible through tonight, February 16, 2014. Gusty winds are predicted, which will also reduce visibility when coupled by heavy snow. Avalanche danger is still high.
If you’re staying in the lowlands, hope you’re ready for yet another windy and rainy day. The storm will roll our way this evening, starting with the heavy rain. The wind is expected to really kick in around bedtime.
Although wind in the Snoqualmie Valley is already gusting in the 30mph range early this morning, the local weather guys say the gusts might be even stronger with this storm. Yesterday, weather stations in Snoqualmie and North Bend mainly picked up gusts around 45mph. Today, with a wind advisory issued, gusts could reach the mid 50’s.
And then, just like a broken record, another wet and windy storm rolls through on Monday night into Tuesday. This one, too, will produce heavy mountain snow.
Temperatures in the Snoqualmie Valley are predicted to stay slightly below normal for the week ahead, with highs only in the upper 30’s to low 40’s. And yes, those cool temperatures mean there’s a chance of snow scattered in the long-range weather forecast.
Skiers rejoice – drivers beware!
