Winter Storm Warning and Blizzard Warning Issued for Washington Cascades Through Saturday

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Seattle, WA, has issued a Winter Storm Warning for the Cascade mountain range. This alert is part of a multi-phase weather event that includes a Winter Weather Advisory and a Blizzard Warning. The alerts signify a period of heavy snow, high winds, and significantly reduced visibility.

Affected Areas

The following geographic regions are under these alerts:

• Cascades of Whatcom and Skagit Counties
• Cascades of Snohomish and Northern King Counties

Expected Conditions

Weather conditions are expected to evolve in three distinct phases:

• Winter Weather Advisory Phase: Additional snow accumulations between 6 and 12 inches.
• Blizzard Warning Phase: Blizzard conditions are expected with total snow accumulations of 5 to 10 inches. Winds are forecast to gust as high as 55 mph, potentially reducing visibility to below 1/4 mile due to falling and blowing snow.
• Winter Storm Warning Phase: Heavy snow is expected with total accumulations between 1 and 3 feet possible. Wind gusts during this period could reach 40 mph.

Timeline

• Winter Weather Advisory: Effective until 6:00 PM PDT Wednesday, March 11.
• Blizzard Warning: Effective from 6:00 PM Wednesday, March 11, to 5:00 AM PDT Thursday, March 12.
• Winter Storm Warning: Effective from 5:00 AM PDT Thursday, March 12, to 5:00 AM PDT Saturday, March 14.

What You Should Do

Residents and travelers in the affected areas should take immediate precautions:

• Travel Restrictions: Travel should be restricted to emergencies only. If you must travel, keep a winter survival kit in your vehicle, including an extra flashlight, food, and water.
• If Stranded: If you get stranded, stay with your vehicle.
• Power Outages: Prepare for possible power outages as strong winds could cause tree damage.
• Driving Safety: Slow down and use extreme caution while traveling. Travel could be very difficult to impossible during peak storm conditions.