Monday, January 16, 2012

Big Snow Days for the Pacific Northwest / Northern Rockies...

The major storm track has shifted over the last few days, and now favors several rounds of locally heavy snow across the Pacific Northwest and the northern Rockies.

Right now the snow across the Pacific Northwest is spotty and of a "showery" variety (generally light and short lived bursts).  This same type of pattern will continue into Tuesday, with the frequency and intensity picking up by afternoon and evening.  By Tuesday night and into Wednesday, the snow will become heavy at times, including across the Seattle/Tacoma areas.

The latest computer model forecasts suggest widespread snowfall amounts of 6-8 inches across much of the Seattle area.  Snow accumulation will exceed one foot in the higher elevations:


The above graphic from the GFS computer forecast model (snowfall scale in inches at the bottom of the graphic) is valid for the entire duration of the snow event, which appears at this time to be through early Wednesday night for the lower elevations.  The bulk of the heaviest snow (in both the higher and lower elevations) will take place on Tuesday night and Wednesday.

A variety of winter weather advisories, watches and warnings are in effect across the region through mid-week:


Locally heavy snow will spread Southeast as far as portions of the central Rockies of Colorado by Wednesday night and into Thursday.


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