Winter Storm Warning Issued for Washington Cascades: Up to 18 Inches of Snow Expected

Alert Details

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Seattle has issued a Winter Storm Warning for the mountain regions of Western Washington. This alert follows a preceding Winter Weather Advisory, indicating a transition to more severe winter conditions in the higher elevations.

Affected Areas

The alert specifically covers the following geographic regions:

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

Expected Conditions

Two distinct weather phases are expected for the region:

• Winter Weather Advisory Phase: Snow accumulations of 4 to 8 inches are expected with wind gusts reaching 35 mph.
• Winter Storm Warning Phase: Heavy snow is possible with total accumulations between 12 and 18 inches. Winds will continue to gust as high as 35 mph.

Impacts include snow-covered roads that will make travel difficult and may cause delays or temporary road closures. Gusty winds are expected to limit visibility and could potentially down tree branches.

Timeline

• Winter Weather Advisory: In effect from 5:00 AM to 1:00 PM PDT Sunday.
• Winter Storm Warning: In effect from 5:00 PM Sunday to 5:00 AM PDT Tuesday.

What You Should Do

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

• If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.
• Slow down and use caution while traveling.
• Prepare for possible power outages due to heavy snow and gusty winds.