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Big Snow for the Coastal Northwest?

Jan 14, 2012; 2:08 PM ET

A quick Saturday update. Colder air is moving in on schedule in the Northwest now, and occasional snow showers are likely anywhere from the Cascades on west through Monday. The air will be plenty cold, but precipitation will be spotty. However, in a heavier snow shower, there can be a quick coating to an inch, and over time through Monday, accumulations will probably average 1-3 inches with locally higher amounts where a Puget Sound Convergence Zone sets up.

But eyes turn toward a potentially big snow threat for somewhere in western Washington Tuesday night and Wednesday. Cold high pressure will hold its ground to the north in British Columbia. At the same time, a very moist storm will head east across the Pacific bring moderate to heavy rain and snow amounts all across western Oregon and western Washington. Where the low moves is going to be critical for where the storm is mostly all snow to where snow turns to rain. This boundary will be around the Seattle area, but one cannot tell just yet whether that boundary will be south or north of Seattle. Odds are that up around Bellingham and that area this storm may be all snow. Meanwhile, in Portland, Ore., it is likely to be a mix of snow and rain turning to rain.

Somebody is going to get a bunch of snow. And by a bunch, I am saying a foot or more. And don't even think about traveling through the Cascades during this time. A few feet of snow at pass level are possible.

Stay tuned on AccuWeather.com for updates through the rest of the weekend and early next week on this impending storm.

The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of AccuWeather, Inc. or AccuWeather.com

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About This Blog

Ken Clark
Ken Clark's Western U.S. weather blog tackles daily weather events with commentary from one of the most experienced and trusted Western U.S. weather experts.

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