NOAA Current Watches-WA

...SNOW THROUGH SATURDAY... .A significant change in the weather pattern has begun as a winter storm system arrives from the Pacific and brings moderate to heavy snow to the Cascades and Blue Mountains. * WHAT...Heavy snow expected above 3000 feet. Total snow accumulations between 8 and 18 inches. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph along exposed ridgetops. * WHERE...Upper Slopes of the Eastern Washington Cascades Crest. * WHEN...Until 4 PM PST Saturday. * IMPACTS...Significant snowfall with periods of heavy snowfall rates will combine with low visibility to create very difficult driving conditions. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Precipitation will begin as snow for Snoqualmie Pass, before transitioning to rain this afternoon. Rain will then transition to snow again at Snoqualmie Pass tonight.

* WHAT...West winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph expected. * WHERE...Admiralty Inlet Area. * WHEN...From 6 PM this evening to 1 AM PST Saturday. * IMPACTS...Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.

* WHAT...Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations between 2 and 6 inches possible. Higher amounts near the Olympics. * WHERE...Central Coast and Lower Chehalis Valley Area. * WHEN...From Saturday evening through Monday morning. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous conditions could impact the Monday morning commute.

* WHAT...Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations between 2 and 6 inches possible. * WHERE...San Juan County and Western Whatcom County. * WHEN...From Saturday evening through Monday morning. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous conditions could impact the Monday morning commute.

* WHAT...Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations between 2 and 6 inches possible. * WHERE...East Puget Sound Lowlands. * WHEN...From Saturday evening through Monday morning. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous conditions could impact the Monday morning commute.

* WHAT...Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations between 3 and 9 inches possible. The highest snowfall amounts will be away from the water. Locally higher snowfall amounts are possible in the higher elevations. * WHERE...North Coast and Western Strait of Juan De Fuca. * WHEN...From this evening through Monday morning. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible. The hazardous conditions could impact the Monday morning commute.

* WHAT...Heavy snow at or above elevations greater than 3000 ft. Snow accumulations between 10 and 30 inches. Possible higher amounts on Mount Rainier. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph. * WHERE...West Slopes North Cascades and Passes, West Slopes North Central Cascades and Passes, and West Slopes South Central Cascades and Passes. * WHEN...Until 4 PM PST Saturday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible.

...SNOW THROUGH SATURDAY WITH AREAS OF LIGHT FREEZING RAIN THIS MORNING... .A significant change in the weather pattern has begun as a winter storm system arrives from the Pacific and brings moderate to heavy snow to the Cascades and Blue Mountains. There will be rain and areas of light freezing rain across the Columbia Basin and the Kittitas and Yakima Valleys. * WHAT...Heavy snow expected above 3000 feet. Total snow accumulations between 8 and 18 inches. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph along exposed ridgetops. * WHERE...Upper Slopes of the Eastern Washington Cascades Crest. * WHEN...Until 4 PM PST Saturday. * IMPACTS...Significant snowfall with periods of heavy snowfall rates will combine with low visibility to create very difficult driving conditions. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Precipitation will begin as snow for Snoqualmie Pass, before transitioning to rain Friday afternoon. Rain will then transition to snow again at Snoqualmie Pass Friday night.

...SNOW THROUGH SATURDAY WITH AREAS OF LIGHT FREEZING RAIN THIS MORNING... .A significant change in the weather pattern has begun as a winter storm system arrives from the Pacific and brings moderate to heavy snow to the Cascades and Blue Mountains. There will be rain and areas of light freezing rain across the Columbia Basin and the Kittitas and Yakima Valleys. * WHAT...Snow expected above 4000 feet. Total snow accumulations between 6 and 12 inches. Local winds gusting as high as 35 mph will cause blowing and drifting of snow. * WHERE...In Oregon, Northern Blue Mountains of Oregon. In Washington, Northwest Blue Mountains. * WHEN...Until 4 PM PST Saturday. * IMPACTS...Significant snowfall with periods of heavy snowfall rates will combine with low visibility to create very difficult driving conditions. Strong winds could cause extensive damage to trees and power lines. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Total snowfall accumulations for I-84 along the Blue Mountains, including Meacham, are only expected to be around 3 to 5 inches.

...SNOW THROUGH SATURDAY WITH AREAS OF LIGHT FREEZING RAIN THIS MORNING... .A significant change in the weather pattern has begun as a winter storm system arrives from the Pacific and brings moderate to heavy snow to the Cascades and Blue Mountains. There will be rain and areas of light freezing rain across the Columbia Basin and the Kittitas and Yakima Valleys. * WHAT...Mixed precipitation expected. Light freezing rain will create ice accumulations of a light glaze. Little to no snow accumulation. * WHERE...Lower Columbia Basin of Oregon and Washington, Kittitas Valley, and Yakima Valley. * WHEN...Until 10 AM PST this morning. * IMPACTS...Even light freezing rain amounts can cause dangerous driving conditions.

* WHAT...Heavy snow possible above 3000 feet. Total snow accumulations between 6 and 12 inches, and up to 15 inches above 5000 ft. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph. * WHERE...South Washington Cascades and the Northern and Central Cascades of Oregon. * WHEN...Until 10 PM PST Saturday. * IMPACTS...Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snow levels will start around 4000-5000 ft on Friday, before lowering towards 3000-3500 ft by Friday night. Heavier precipitation to start late Friday morning with a slow decrease in intensity through Saturday morning.

* WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations up to 4 inches. * WHERE...In Oregon, North Oregon Coast Range. In Washington, Willapa Hills. * WHEN...From 10 PM this evening to 10 PM PST Saturday. * IMPACTS...Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snow levels will start around 3000-4000 ft on Saturday morning, before lowering towards 500-1000 ft by late Saturday morning.

SABOTX * WHAT...A SIGNIFICANT WINTER STORM, A VARIABLE AND WEAK SNOWPACK, AND A BUSY WEEKEND COULD COMBINE FOR UNIQUELY DANGEROUS AVALANCHE CONDITIONS. AVALANCHES MAY TRIGGER EASILY AND COULD BREAK WIDELY. * WHERE...THE WASHINGTON CASCADES FROM THE CANADIAN BORDER TO THE COLUMBIA RIVER, MT HOOD, AND THE OLYMPIC MOUNTAINS. * WHEN...IN EFFECT FROM THU 18:00 PST TO SUN 18:00 PST. * IMPACTS...A PROLONGED DRY PERIOD IN JANUARY CREATED A HIGHLY VARIABLE AND POTENTIALLY WEAK SNOWPACK. ACTIVE WEATHER INCLUDING SIGNIFICANT SNOWFALL AND WINDS COULD MAKE THESE LAYERS UNSTABLE. HUMANS MAY EASILY TRIGGER AVALANCHES LARGE ENOUGH TO BURY OR INJURE A PERSON.

SABPQR * WHAT...A SIGNIFICANT WINTER STORM, A VARIABLE AND WEAK SNOWPACK, AND A BUSY WEEKEND COULD COMBINE FOR UNIQUELY DANGEROUS AVALANCHE CONDITIONS. AVALANCHES MAY TRIGGER EASILY AND COULD BREAK WIDELY. * WHERE...THE WASHINGTON CASCADES FROM THE CANADIAN BORDER TO THE COLUMBIA RIVER, MT HOOD, AND THE OLYMPIC MOUNTAINS. * WHEN...IN EFFECT FROM THU 18:00 PST TO SUN 18:00 PST. * IMPACTS...A PROLONGED DRY PERIOD IN JANUARY CREATED A HIGHLY VARIABLE AND POTENTIALLY WEAK SNOWPACK. ACTIVE WEATHER INCLUDING SIGNIFICANT SNOWFALL AND WINDS COULD MAKE THESE LAYERS UNSTABLE. HUMANS MAY EASILY TRIGGER AVALANCHES LARGE ENOUGH TO BURY OR INJURE A PERSON.

SABPDT * WHAT...A SIGNIFICANT WINTER STORM, A VARIABLE AND WEAK SNOWPACK, AND A BUSY WEEKEND COULD COMBINE FOR UNIQUELY DANGEROUS AVALANCHE CONDITIONS. AVALANCHES MAY TRIGGER EASILY AND COULD BREAK WIDELY. * WHERE...THE WASHINGTON CASCADES FROM THE CANADIAN BORDER TO THE COLUMBIA RIVER, MT HOOD, AND THE OLYMPIC MOUNTAINS. * WHEN...IN EFFECT FROM THU 18:00 PST TO SUN 18:00 PST. * IMPACTS...A PROLONGED DRY PERIOD IN JANUARY CREATED A HIGHLY VARIABLE AND POTENTIALLY WEAK SNOWPACK. ACTIVE WEATHER INCLUDING SIGNIFICANT SNOWFALL AND WINDS COULD MAKE THESE LAYERS UNSTABLE. HUMANS MAY EASILY TRIGGER AVALANCHES LARGE ENOUGH TO BURY OR INJURE A PERSON.

SABSEW * WHAT...A SIGNIFICANT WINTER STORM, A VARIABLE AND WEAK SNOWPACK, AND A BUSY WEEKEND COULD COMBINE FOR UNIQUELY DANGEROUS AVALANCHE CONDITIONS. AVALANCHES MAY TRIGGER EASILY AND COULD BREAK WIDELY. * WHERE...THE WASHINGTON CASCADES FROM THE CANADIAN BORDER TO THE COLUMBIA RIVER, MT HOOD, AND THE OLYMPIC MOUNTAINS. * WHEN...IN EFFECT FROM THU 18:00 PST TO SUN 18:00 PST. * IMPACTS...A PROLONGED DRY PERIOD IN JANUARY CRATED A HIGHLY VARIABLE AND POTENTIALLY WEAK SNOWPACK. ACTIVE WEATHER INCLUDING SIGNIFICANT SNOWFALL AND WINDS COULD MAKE THESE LAYERS UNSTABLE. HUMANS MAY EASILY TRIGGER AVALANCHES LARGE ENOUGH TO BURY OR INJURE A PERSON.

* WHAT...Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations between 2 and 9 inches possible. * WHERE...Central Coast and Lower Chehalis Valley Area. * WHEN...From Saturday evening through Monday morning. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous conditions could impact the Monday morning commute. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...The heaviest snowfall amounts will be away from the water, especially along the southwest slopes of the Olympics. Snow may mix in with rain at times, primarily along the water on Sunday. The potential for refreezing exists Monday morning.

* WHAT...Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations between 3 and 12 inches possible. The highest snowfall amounts will be away from the water. Locally higher snowfall amounts are possible in the higher elevations. * WHERE...North Coast and Western Strait of Juan De Fuca. * WHEN...From Friday evening through Monday morning. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible. The hazardous conditions could impact the Monday morning commute. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Rain will transition to a rain and snow mix Friday night into Saturday morning. The highest potential for accumulating snowfall will be Saturday night through Monday. The potential for refreezing exists Monday morning.

* WHAT...Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations between 2 and 7 inches possible. * WHERE...East Puget Sound Lowlands. * WHEN...From Saturday evening through Monday morning. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous conditions could impact the Monday morning commute. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snow showers will be likely at times during this period. The heaviest snowfall amounts are expected in the higher elevations near the Cascades. The potential for refreezing exists Monday morning.

* WHAT...Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations between 2 and 7 inches possible. * WHERE...San Juan County and Western Whatcom County. * WHEN...From Saturday evening through Monday morning. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous conditions could impact the Monday morning commute. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snow showers are likely at times Saturday night through Monday morning, with localized heavier snowfall amounts possible. The potential for refreezing exists Monday morning.