In the wake of a massive September snowstorm, is the cold here to stay across the Northwest?
A historic snowstorm that dumped feet of snow across the Northwest and brought record-breaking cold temperatures has many people wondering if this is a sign of things to come this winter.
By
Brandon Buckingham, AccuWeather Meteorologist
Published Oct 1, 2019 7:59 AM EDT
There was some early snowfall in parts of California on Monday, Sept. 30, which can probably be considered a plus for the state's ski resorts, such as the Squaw Valley Resort.
A historic snowstorm that dumped feet of snow across the Northwest and brought record-breaking low temperatures has many people wondering if this is a sign of things to come this winter.
A Montana Department of Transportation webcam image shows a road still partially covered in snow in Pendroy on Monday, Sept. 30.
"During the winter of 2018-2019, the Northwest and northern Rockies were bombarded with an onslaught of storm systems that brought cold and snowy conditions to the region. In some areas of the West, record snowfall amounts were observed last winter," AccuWeather Meteorologist Kyle Elliott said.
After coming off a brutally cold 2018 winter season across the region, 2019 seems to be picking up right where the previous winter left off. Great Falls, Montana, and other cities in the area are coming off one of the coldest and snowiest winter seasons on record.
The average snowfall in September in Great Falls is around 1.2 inches, and this storm dropped a whopping 19.3 inches of snow. The city of Browning, Montana, nearly reached their average annual snowfall of 59.5 inches by receiving 48 inches of snow from this storm.
In the wake of the departed system, a persistent dip in the jet stream will continue to keep temperatures well below average through the week across much of the Northwest. To go along with the persistent dip in the jet stream, low pressure systems coming in from the Pacific Ocean will also act to keep unsettled weather in the forecast for some through this week.
On Tuesday morning, Oct. 1, the mercury reached 9 degrees Fahrenheit at the Great Falls International Airport in Montana. That broke the location's previous record low of 22 F for the date set back in 1959.
The next storm system to bring valley rain and high-elevation snow will begin to impact the Pacific Northwest on Thursday. As the system tracks inland through the day and into Friday, snow levels could drop back down to around 6,000 feet, possibly bringing hazards to some area passes. This storm system will be nowhere near as powerful as the recently-departed system.
Early-season snowfall and cooler air across the high elevations of the Northwest is bringing high hopes to area ski resorts eager to continue where they left off after last year's profitable season. Some ski resorts across the Sierra, Cascades and Rockies were able to stay open much later than average this spring and summer, courtesy of the persistent cold weather and deep snowpack.
For those that are not excited for the ski season, or snow in general, the winterlike conditions are not here to stay for the season quite yet. A shift in the jet stream pattern late this weekend and into next week will bring more seasonable conditions back to much of the Northwest.
Looking ahead to the official winter season, AccuWeather expects above-normal temperatures and fewer-than-normal storm systems across the northwestern United States.
"With sea-surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean, Gulf of Alaska and Arctic Ocean forecast to remain well above normal, there could be a tendency for persistent high pressure to bulge northward across the West. This would lead to abnormally dry and mild weather and a below-normal snowpack in the Cascades and Sierra Nevada," Elliott added.
For those that do not like the cold and snowy conditions, this may be good news regarding the upcoming winter season.
However, any season with below-average snowfall across the Northwest will always bring up the issue of water shortages in the following spring and summer.
Download the free AccuWeather app to stay aware of the latest forecast and winter storm warnings and advisories for your area. Keep checking back for updates on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios.
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News / Weather News
In the wake of a massive September snowstorm, is the cold here to stay across the Northwest?
A historic snowstorm that dumped feet of snow across the Northwest and brought record-breaking cold temperatures has many people wondering if this is a sign of things to come this winter.
By Brandon Buckingham, AccuWeather Meteorologist
Published Oct 1, 2019 7:59 AM EDT
There was some early snowfall in parts of California on Monday, Sept. 30, which can probably be considered a plus for the state's ski resorts, such as the Squaw Valley Resort.
A historic snowstorm that dumped feet of snow across the Northwest and brought record-breaking low temperatures has many people wondering if this is a sign of things to come this winter.
A Montana Department of Transportation webcam image shows a road still partially covered in snow in Pendroy on Monday, Sept. 30.
"During the winter of 2018-2019, the Northwest and northern Rockies were bombarded with an onslaught of storm systems that brought cold and snowy conditions to the region. In some areas of the West, record snowfall amounts were observed last winter," AccuWeather Meteorologist Kyle Elliott said.
After coming off a brutally cold 2018 winter season across the region, 2019 seems to be picking up right where the previous winter left off. Great Falls, Montana, and other cities in the area are coming off one of the coldest and snowiest winter seasons on record.
The average snowfall in September in Great Falls is around 1.2 inches, and this storm dropped a whopping 19.3 inches of snow. The city of Browning, Montana, nearly reached their average annual snowfall of 59.5 inches by receiving 48 inches of snow from this storm.
In the wake of the departed system, a persistent dip in the jet stream will continue to keep temperatures well below average through the week across much of the Northwest. To go along with the persistent dip in the jet stream, low pressure systems coming in from the Pacific Ocean will also act to keep unsettled weather in the forecast for some through this week.
On Tuesday morning, Oct. 1, the mercury reached 9 degrees Fahrenheit at the Great Falls International Airport in Montana. That broke the location's previous record low of 22 F for the date set back in 1959.
The next storm system to bring valley rain and high-elevation snow will begin to impact the Pacific Northwest on Thursday. As the system tracks inland through the day and into Friday, snow levels could drop back down to around 6,000 feet, possibly bringing hazards to some area passes. This storm system will be nowhere near as powerful as the recently-departed system.
Early-season snowfall and cooler air across the high elevations of the Northwest is bringing high hopes to area ski resorts eager to continue where they left off after last year's profitable season. Some ski resorts across the Sierra, Cascades and Rockies were able to stay open much later than average this spring and summer, courtesy of the persistent cold weather and deep snowpack.
For those that are not excited for the ski season, or snow in general, the winterlike conditions are not here to stay for the season quite yet. A shift in the jet stream pattern late this weekend and into next week will bring more seasonable conditions back to much of the Northwest.
Looking ahead to the official winter season, AccuWeather expects above-normal temperatures and fewer-than-normal storm systems across the northwestern United States.
"With sea-surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean, Gulf of Alaska and Arctic Ocean forecast to remain well above normal, there could be a tendency for persistent high pressure to bulge northward across the West. This would lead to abnormally dry and mild weather and a below-normal snowpack in the Cascades and Sierra Nevada," Elliott added.
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For those that do not like the cold and snowy conditions, this may be good news regarding the upcoming winter season.
However, any season with below-average snowfall across the Northwest will always bring up the issue of water shortages in the following spring and summer.
Download the free AccuWeather app to stay aware of the latest forecast and winter storm warnings and advisories for your area. Keep checking back for updates on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios.