Skiers, We Have Snow: The First Flakes of the Season Are Here With September approaching, several North American ski resorts reported their first snowfall of the 2026-27 season over the weekend of August 31, 2026. Snow began to settle on the highest elevations of resorts across Washington, the Canadian Rockies, and British Columbia. While the snowfall is unlikely to persist as temperatures rise above freezing, the early signs have captured attention among skiers and mountain enthusiasts. Banff Sunshine Village in Alberta received its first significant snowfall on Sunday, with snow covering its high-altitude terrain. The resort, located in Banff National Park and reaching nearly 9,000 feet at its summit, is accustomed to summer snow. However, the sight of the mountain turning white in late August has drawn particular interest. The 2026-27 season is still roughly two months away, but the resort’s long ski season means these slopes could soon be covered in more substantial snow. Crystal Mountain in Washington also experienced snowfall, with snow dusting its high alpine areas, including the Northway, Mountain Top, Chair 6, and Silver King Peak, the resort’s 7,012-foot summit. This early snowfall positions the resort ahead of the Canadian Rockies, setting the stage for an early season. Lake Louise in Alberta joined the trend, with a light snowfall on its upper mountain. The resort, situated high enough in the Canadian Rockies to occasionally see snow during summer, noted that the timing aligns with its typical early-November opening. The snow serves as a reminder that winter is approaching, even though warm days remain.#crystal_mountain #banff_sunshine_village #lake_louise #kicking_horse_mountain_resort #panorama_mountain_resort
Strongest Wind Gusts Recorded in Western Washington on Wednesday Night Winds reached their peak in western Washington on Wednesday night, with the most severe gusts recorded in the Cascades. A wind speed of 134 mph was measured at Alpental, located above Snoqualmie Pass. These extreme conditions caused widespread damage, including downed power lines and trees, and tragically resulted in at least one fatality when a tree fell onto a vehicle. The intense winds occurred during a Wind Advisory for the lowlands and a Blizzard Warning in the mountainous regions, though both alerts have since been lifted. The storm system brought significant impacts across the area, with varying wind speeds reported in different locations. In the Puget Sound lowlands, wind gusts ranged from 36 to 45 mph, with SeaTac recording 45 mph at 9 p.m. and Everett measuring 44 mph at 10 p.m. At higher elevations, the winds were even stronger. Alpental, situated at 2,400 feet above Snoqualmie Pass, experienced the highest gust of 134 mph at 9 p.m. Snoqualmie Pass itself saw winds of 73 mph at the same time. At Mount Rainier, winds reached 63 mph at 8 p.m. near Sunrise, which is around 6,000 feet in elevation. Crystal Mountain recorded 59 mph at 6 p.m. near the gondola, which is approximately 6,800 feet high. Paradise-Rainier had winds of 53 mph at 11 p.m., and Stevens Pass saw 48 mph at midnight on the ridge tops. A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect for the Cascade and Olympic mountains until 5 a.m. on Saturday. The KING 5 news outlet has activated its First Alert system for this weather event, which could impact lives, property, and travel in the Pacific Northwest. The First Alert Weather Team will provide updates to ensure public safety during the storm.#alpental #snoqualmie_pass #mount_rainier #crystal_mountain #king_5
