Powerhouse storm to slam northwestern US this weekend with fierce winds, heavy snow
By
Renee Duff, AccuWeather senior meteorologist
Published Jan 2, 2020 1:11 PM EDT
As a train of storms aims for the northwestern United States, one storm in particular will pack a significant punch into Saturday night.
The powerhouse storm that began to move ashore on Friday night is the third to strike the region in as many days, following one storm that lasted into New Year's Day and another that affected the region into Thursday night.
Forecasters say that a slew of travel troubles can ensue during the event with wind gusts past hurricane-force (74 mph or greater) possible and more than a foot of snow likely in the Cascade Mountains.
Power outages due to high winds were reported in portions of Washington as the storm moved in on Friday night. A wind gust of 64 mph was reported at Cape Foulweather along the Oregon coast.
"Into Saturday night, high winds will shift eastward to include all of Washington east of the Cascades, as well as northern Idaho and Montana," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist and western U.S. blogger Brian Thompson said.
Frequent gusts of 50-60 mph are forecast in these areas, with an AccuWeather Local StormMax™ of 100 mph most likely to occur over the passes in Montana and the foothills east of the Rockies from Montana to southeastern Wyoming.
Such winds will greatly heighten the risk of high-profile vehicles being pushed off the roadway or tipping over. On New Year's Day, a truck driver near the Colorado-Wyoming border narrowly avoided being tossed into the opposing lane of traffic by high winds.
Motorists along interstates 15, 25, 80, 82, 84 and 90, as well as U.S. Route 101 along the coasts of Washington and Oregon, will need to keep a firm grip on the steering wheel in order to stay in driving lanes.
Tree damage and power outages can occur in the highest wind areas. Lightweight furniture, planters and other loose, outdoor items should be secured or stowed away ahead of the gusty weather.
Flight delays can occur, as aircraft are likely to be rerouted around areas of severe turbulence.
In Seattle and Portland, Oregon, wind gusts of 30-45 mph are forecast into Saturday, rendering umbrellas rather useless as some rain pushes through during this time.
Rainfall from the storm is likely to be around 1-2 inches along the immediate coast and on the order of 0.25-0.75 of an inch along the I-5 corridor. Blowing spray from other vehicles and a heightened risk of hydroplaning will be the main threats drivers face along this stretch.
In the higher terrain, traveling may be downright dangerous with an intense burst of heavy snow expected.
"Snow levels will come crashing down to below pass level in the Cascades, allowing accumulating snow to cause travel delays and restrictions," AccuWeather Meteorologist Tyler Roys said.
Initially, some of the snow is likely to melt as it falls on pavement. However, as temperatures plunge and the snow continues to come down at a quick pace, slippery, snow-covered roadway conditions are likely to develop.
Despite the storm's short duration with the heaviest snow expected to fall within a 6-12 hour timeframe, a foot or more can pile up in the high-country of the Cascades. Between 6-12 inches of snow is expected across the highest peaks of the northern Rockies into Saturday night.
The risk of avalanches is expected to remain high in the mountains of the Northwest due to the combination of fluctuating snow levels, additional heavy snow and high winds.
On Wednesday, two snowmobilers died after being buried in an avalanche near Seeley Lake in northwest Montana, according to KRTV. A third rider survived and was able to call for help.
The region will have little respite from unsettled weather as yet another storm will swing in on Sunday with several more to follow during the first full week of January.
Download the free AccuWeather app to check the forecast in your area. Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios.
Report a Typo
News / Winter Weather
Powerhouse storm to slam northwestern US this weekend with fierce winds, heavy snow
By Renee Duff, AccuWeather senior meteorologist
Published Jan 2, 2020 1:11 PM EDT
As a train of storms aims for the northwestern United States, one storm in particular will pack a significant punch into Saturday night.
The powerhouse storm that began to move ashore on Friday night is the third to strike the region in as many days, following one storm that lasted into New Year's Day and another that affected the region into Thursday night.
Forecasters say that a slew of travel troubles can ensue during the event with wind gusts past hurricane-force (74 mph or greater) possible and more than a foot of snow likely in the Cascade Mountains.
Power outages due to high winds were reported in portions of Washington as the storm moved in on Friday night. A wind gust of 64 mph was reported at Cape Foulweather along the Oregon coast.
"Into Saturday night, high winds will shift eastward to include all of Washington east of the Cascades, as well as northern Idaho and Montana," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist and western U.S. blogger Brian Thompson said.
Frequent gusts of 50-60 mph are forecast in these areas, with an AccuWeather Local StormMax™ of 100 mph most likely to occur over the passes in Montana and the foothills east of the Rockies from Montana to southeastern Wyoming.
Such winds will greatly heighten the risk of high-profile vehicles being pushed off the roadway or tipping over. On New Year's Day, a truck driver near the Colorado-Wyoming border narrowly avoided being tossed into the opposing lane of traffic by high winds.
Motorists along interstates 15, 25, 80, 82, 84 and 90, as well as U.S. Route 101 along the coasts of Washington and Oregon, will need to keep a firm grip on the steering wheel in order to stay in driving lanes.
Tree damage and power outages can occur in the highest wind areas. Lightweight furniture, planters and other loose, outdoor items should be secured or stowed away ahead of the gusty weather.
Flight delays can occur, as aircraft are likely to be rerouted around areas of severe turbulence.
In Seattle and Portland, Oregon, wind gusts of 30-45 mph are forecast into Saturday, rendering umbrellas rather useless as some rain pushes through during this time.
Rainfall from the storm is likely to be around 1-2 inches along the immediate coast and on the order of 0.25-0.75 of an inch along the I-5 corridor. Blowing spray from other vehicles and a heightened risk of hydroplaning will be the main threats drivers face along this stretch.
In the higher terrain, traveling may be downright dangerous with an intense burst of heavy snow expected.
"Snow levels will come crashing down to below pass level in the Cascades, allowing accumulating snow to cause travel delays and restrictions," AccuWeather Meteorologist Tyler Roys said.
Initially, some of the snow is likely to melt as it falls on pavement. However, as temperatures plunge and the snow continues to come down at a quick pace, slippery, snow-covered roadway conditions are likely to develop.
Related:
Despite the storm's short duration with the heaviest snow expected to fall within a 6-12 hour timeframe, a foot or more can pile up in the high-country of the Cascades. Between 6-12 inches of snow is expected across the highest peaks of the northern Rockies into Saturday night.
The risk of avalanches is expected to remain high in the mountains of the Northwest due to the combination of fluctuating snow levels, additional heavy snow and high winds.
On Wednesday, two snowmobilers died after being buried in an avalanche near Seeley Lake in northwest Montana, according to KRTV. A third rider survived and was able to call for help.
The region will have little respite from unsettled weather as yet another storm will swing in on Sunday with several more to follow during the first full week of January.
Download the free AccuWeather app to check the forecast in your area. Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios.
Report a Typo