SEATTLE — The rain has arrived in western Washington as the first atmospheric river of the fall season is set to dump 1-3 inches throughout the weekend.
Atmospheric rivers are common for the Pacific Northwest, and as the name suggests, they are like rivers in the sky. This storm system is also bringing gusty winds and mountain snow, a sign that we are officially in the Pacific Northwest’s wet and stormy era.
The KOMO News 4-CAST team has compiled a timeline of what to expect through Sunday.
SATURDAY
Just in time for your weekend, a second front is expected to bring more heavy rain showers and gusty winds to western Washington, with a Gale Watch in effect from Saturday morning through late Saturday night for the northern coast, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).
A Wind Advisory is also in effect until 5 a.m. Sunday for portions of northwest and west central Washington.
Cooler air will move into the Cascades by 4 p.m. Saturday, lowering the snow level to around 3,500 feet, according to the NWS.
The NWS has issued a Winter Weather Advisory starting at 11 p.m. Saturday through Sunday night for the North Cascades, including Mount Rainier, Snoqualmie Pass, Mount Baker, Greenwater, Stevens Pass, Ashford, White Pass, Crystal Mountain, SR 18 at Tiger Mountain Summit, Longmire, and Paradise.
Total snow accumulations could be 6-10 inches for areas above 3,500 feet, except on Mount Rainier that could see 10 to 14 inches of fresh snow, the NWS said.
Stevens, White, and Blewitt Passes can expect steady snow while Snoqualmie may see a rain-snow mix or sleet.
State Route 410 Chinook Pass and State Route 123 Cayuse Pass closed for the season Friday morning due to the anticipated snowfall in the mountains this weekend.
Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) crews have been training and preparing their equipment for the upcoming winter season – and they’re asking the public to do the same.
READ MORE: Chinook, Cayuse passes to close for the season within Mt. Rainier National Park Friday
If you are headed over the passes this weekend, give yourself extra time and plan for winter driving conditions.
SUNDAY
Sunday will bring a mix of heavy showers and cool temperatures, with more snow in the higher mountain passes and continued gusty winds in the lowlands.
The Winter Weather Advisory from Saturday will continue through Sunday night, so mountain pass travel could be difficult this weekend.
Travelers can always check WSDOT’s Mountain Pass travel reports before departing.
What’s the weather look like where you are? Share your fall storm photos with us on Chime-In. Click here to see your full forecast.
