The cold and snowfall remain in the United States. By next weekend, there will be truly wintry weather across the country. But for the northwest, it will be something special when three winter storms hit each other in a few days.
The National Weather Service (NWS) predicted that the cold Arctic air mass that is covering much of the The country will continue to contribute to winter rainfall from coast to coast.
Heavy snow and ice may be present in the Pacific Northwest, while snow and freezing rain will affect parts of the plains, the south and the mid-Atlantic . Record low temperatures are possible over the weekend.
For the Northwest, in Washington States, Oregon and Northern California, three separate storms are forecast will continue in the region from Thursday to Monday, with possible episodes of snow records, blizzards and freezing winds below zero, according to NWS.
The states of Washington and Oregon will receive the strongest of these storms.
A series of winter storms will result in widespread snowfall accumulations across the higher terrain and into the lowlands of Washington and Oregon into the weekend. https://t.co/eh5HNSxJpY pic.twitter.com/LvwfdKGm6h
– National Weather Service (@NWS) February 11, 2021
For cities like Portland and Seattle, any of these weather elements is at least unusual, if not rare.
The city of Portland averages about 4 inches of snow per year, while Seattle generally sees a just over 6 inches. Both cities could see more than a year of snow before Valentine’s Day , CNN reported.
Northern California also has part in winter storms
In the following tweet, are the updated snow totals for the weather system that moves in the area from today until Friday morning. Mountain travel delays, chain checks, and slippery roads are expected at times. The Weather Service advises that if you must travel, have an emergency kit and allow enough extra time.
📡 Radar update 📡
Rain and high elevation mountain snow continue to spread southward across the area. Rain looks to continue in the Valley through late tonight, with lingering foothill / mountain showers through tomorrow morning. #cawx pic.twitter.com/GMPdfjwTpG
– NWS Sacramento (@NWSSacramento) February 11, 2021
First snow storm in almost a decade
The first round of winter weather is scheduled to arrive Thursday afternoon, when a fast-moving storm submerges over the state of Oregon.
This system has 10 million people under winter weather alerts in the Pacific Northwest, with up to 2 a 5 inches of snow possible for the Portland Metro through Friday afternoon, and higher amounts of 6 to 10 are forecast in the Hood region River.
The first snow storm warning in nearly seven years was issued by the Portland National Weather Service on Wednesday night to the western Columbia River Gorge, east of Portland.
Here, gusts close to the force from a hurricane will be combined with blinding snowfall totaling nearly 1 foot of fresh snow by Friday afternoon.
The Friday night & Saturday storm continues to be the most likely time period that will see a significant period of freezing rain and / or snow for parts of NW OR & SW WA. Most of the coast & southeastern portions of the Willamette Valley should see rain. (1/4) #pdxtst #orwx #wawx pic.twitter.com/QzStG1SCsL
– NWS Portland (@NWSPortland) February 12, 2021
“Sometimes, traveling will be a challenge, mainly from Thursday late until Friday morning. Widespread blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility to 1/4 mile or less, ”the National Weather Service office in Portland warned.
One year of snow in a single day for Seattle
The snowfall event in Seattle will start from Friday through Saturday, moving closer to Washington state and setting the stage for more intense widespread snowfall.
This is when the combination of the storm’s path, humidity and cold air can work together to produce up to 7 to 10 inches in the Seattle subway and an additional 3 to 7 inches in the Portland subway.
The evolution of this second storm Wintry influences the amount of cold air that will remain in place for the arrival of the third and final storm in this winter pattern.
A wet & cool pattern is expected the rest of the week & into early next week, with periods of rain & mountain snow. Sunday is expected to be the best travel day of the holiday weekend, with another system bringing potentially more mountain snow on Washington’s Birthday. #CAwx pic.twitter.com/D5UkbBmcYK
– NWS Sacramento (@NWSSacramento) February 11, 2021
A third chance of snow on Valentine’s Day
The last of the three storms is expected to occur from Sunday to Monday.
Although the unusually cold air is forecast to linger until Valentine’s Day, it is not yet known how cold the air mass will be and if it could be enough to bring more snow to Portland and Seattle.
