Heavy Snow Warning As 12 Inches To Hit—‘Prepare For Power Outages’ The National Weather Service has issued winter weather advisories for parts of Washington and Alaska, warning of heavy snowfall and strong winds that could lead to power outages and hazardous travel conditions. Residents in affected areas are urged to prepare for disruptions as up to 12 inches of snow is expected to fall by Thursday morning. Snowfall is anticipated to range between 8 and 12 inches in the Cascades of Snohomish and northern King counties, as well as the Cascades of Whatcom and Skagit counties. The National Weather Service has described the conditions as “very difficult” for travel, particularly during Wednesday afternoon as a heavier snow band moves in, with Stevens Pass expected to be heavily impacted. Mazama, Stehekin, and Holden Village may see up to 12 inches of snow in areas above 4,000 feet, while lower elevations could receive around 3 inches. The snowfall is expected to continue through Wednesday into Thursday. In addition to snow, parts of the northwest Arctic Coast, including Point Hope, are facing sustained winds of up to 45 mph through Wednesday, with conditions likely to persist until mid-Thursday morning. These winds could create blowing snow, reducing visibility to less than half a mile at times. The National Weather Service has provided safety guidance for drivers and residents. It advises motorists to slow down and exercise caution during poor weather, citing over 5,000 annual fatalities linked to weather-related road incidents. Before traveling, drivers are urged to clear snow and ice from their vehicles, inform someone of their route and expected arrival time, and ensure their phone is fully charged. Emergency kits should include blankets, a shovel, flashlight, non-perishable food, and water.#national_weather_service #snohomish_county #king_county #whatcom_county #skagit_county
More Rain, Mountain Snow Continue After Storm Batters Western Washington A powerful storm swept across western Washington, bringing strong winds, heavy rain in the lowlands, and dangerous snowy conditions in the mountains. Thousands of residents were left without power on Thursday morning as the storm disrupted infrastructure and caused widespread outages. Many of the reported outages by Puget Sound Energy occurred on the Eastside along the Interstate 90 corridor, leading up to Snoqualmie Pass. The storm’s strong winds and relentless rain caused trees to fall across the region, leading to significant damage. In Snohomish County, a tree fell onto a car near Monroe around 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, resulting in one fatality. First responders noted that several power lines sparked during the incident but did not ignite a fire. Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue confirmed the incident was one of several calls they received for downed trees and power lines. In east King County, a tree fell on a camper along Lake Joy Road Northeast in Carnation around 9 p.m. Wednesday. The tree, measuring 70 feet tall and 5 feet in diameter, blocked access to the vehicle. Eastside Fire and Rescue crews worked for two hours to free the trapped individual, who was later hospitalized with critical injuries. The storm also caused road closures, with a 10-mile section of State Route 410 blocked due to downed trees. Trees were also reported on State Route 160 in the south Sound, while US 101 and State Route 7 in Eatonville had trees and power lines obstructing both directions of the highways. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) stated crews were actively removing debris and trees from State Route 20 between Marblemount Road and Newhalem.#puget_sound_energy #snoqualmie_pass #western_washington #snohomish_county #washington_state_department_of_transportation
