Winter Storm Warning Issued for Lower Slopes of Eastern Washington Cascades Crest

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Pendleton, OR, has issued a Winter Storm Warning for the Lower Slopes of the Eastern Washington Cascades Crest. This alert is currently in effect and remains active until 5:00 PM PDT on Thursday, March 12.

Affected Areas

The warning specifically covers the Lower Slopes of the Eastern Washington Cascades Crest (WAZ523). This includes geographic regions within the SAME codes 053037, 053039, and 053077.

Expected Conditions

• Snowfall: Heavy snow is expected above 1,500 feet. While 6 inches of snow has already fallen, an additional accumulation of 4 to 7 inches is anticipated.
• Wind: Strong winds are expected, with gusts reaching as high as 55 mph.
• Visibility: Periods of moderate to heavy snow combined with high winds will lead to low visibility.
• Hazards: Difficult driving conditions and the potential for extensive tree damage and downed power lines due to high winds.

Timeline

• Warning Duration: Effective until 5:00 PM PDT Thursday, March 12.
• Peak Wind Window: The strongest wind gusts are expected between 8:00 PM Wednesday and 11:00 AM Thursday.

What You Should Do

Residents and travelers are advised to consider delaying all travel. If travel is absolutely necessary, drive with extreme caution. Ensure your vehicle is equipped with a winter storm kit that includes tire chains, booster cables, a flashlight, a shovel, blankets, extra clothing, water, and a first aid kit.

Do not touch downed power lines and report any outages to your local electric company. Travel is highly discouraged due to the high probability of slick roadways and the risk of falling trees.