Kitsap’s full-time homeless shelter helping people move forward
Kitsap Rescue Mission has run a full-time 75-bed homeless shelter at the Pacific Building in Port Orchard since January, serving 204 people so far
- A blizzard warning is in effect for parts of Washington’s Cascade mountains and the Olympics.
- Nearly half a million people in Washington and Oregon are without power due to the severe weather.
- The region is expected to face a series of atmospheric rivers through the end of the year, increasing risks of flooding and landslides.
- Mountain passes are hazardous, with significant snowfall accumulations expected.
A blizzard warning is in effect this morning for parts of the Cascades in Washington, covering Pierce, Lewis, Snohomish, King, Whatcom and Skagit counties, as well as the Olympics. The warning comes as Western Washington contends with strong winds, heavy mountain snow and the lingering effects of last week’s atmospheric river that flooded some rivers to record level.
Already, nearly half a million people across Washington and Oregon are without power, and restoration may take time due to dangerous conditions. Mountain passes are especially hazardous, with snow totals forecast to reach 18–24 inches at Baker and Paradise, and 6–12 inches at other passes, according to the National Weather Service in Seattle.
Forecasters say this blizzard is just one part of a larger pattern of extreme weather for the region. A series of atmospheric rivers is expected to continue through the end of the year, potentially bringing hazardous impacts throughout the holiday week.
“A mid-level ridge over the Bering Sea and a downstream trough in the northeastern Pacific favors continued atmospheric river events across western (contiguous United States),” the Climate Prediction Center wrote in an advisory.
“Possible impacts during the busy holiday travel period include flooding, landslides and challenging travel conditions across mountain passes. Recently burned areas may face an elevated risk of flash flooding and debris flows. Power outages are possible in some areas due to high winds and heavy precipitation,” the advisory added.
When will the blizzard warning expire?
The blizzard warning is set to expire at noon Wednesday, Dec. 17.
Power outage map: See outages in Washington
When is the first average snowfall in Puget Sound? Average snow dates around Washington
Snow is not in the forecast for the immediate Seattle area in the foreseeable future. These are the average snowfall dates across Washington.
Seattle
- Earliest: Nov. 7 (1945)
- Latest: March 12 (1944)
- Average: Dec. 25
Spokane
- Earliest: Sept. 28 (2019)
- Latest: Dec. 22 (1943)
- Average: Nov. 10
Quillayute
- Earliest: Nov. 4 (1973)
- Latest: April 6 (1992)
- Average: Dec. 17
Olympia
- Earliest: Nov. 3 (1973)
- Latest: March 7 (1958)
- Average: Dec. 15
Washington snowfall totals: Search by address
USA TODAY’s snowfall map shows accumulation over the past 24, 48, and 72 hours, as well as seasonal totals dating back to Oct. 1. Updated multiple times a day, the map lets you toggle between timeframes to see how snow is adding up in your area.
According to the map, areas of Washington have seen the greatest snow totals in the U.S., with the Cascades already recording 24 feet since Oct. 1 and nearly 2 feet in the last 24 hours.
What is a blizzard vs winter storm warning?
- A winter storm watch means conditions are favorable for a significant winter event — like heavy snow, sleet, ice or blowing snow — that could meet or exceed winter storm warning criteria within the next 12 to 48 hours.
- A winter storm warning means a winter weather event is expected to bring more than one hazard — for example, heavy snow with blowing snow, snow and ice, or sleet and ice — that can create dangerous travel conditions or minor power outages.
- A blizzard warning is issued when sustained winds or frequent gusts reach 35 mph or higher, combined with falling or blowing snow that reduces visibility to less than a quarter mile for at least three hours.
Washington weather watches and warnings
Stay informed. Get weather alerts via text
Brandi D. Addison covers weather across the United States as the Weather Connect Reporter for the USA TODAY Network. She can be reached at baddison@gannett.com. Find her on Facebook here.
