Seattle, WA – Residents of Washington and Oregon are preparing for a significant winter storm expected to bring heavy snow, strong winds, and hazardous travel conditions to the Pacific Northwest starting Wednesday. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued Winter Storm Watches for elevations above 3,500 feet in Washington and Oregon, with snow accumulations potentially reaching 18 to 24 inches in higher elevations.
According to the NWS, the storm will begin Wednesday afternoon and continue through Friday morning. The Cascades, including Stevens Pass, Snoqualmie Pass, and areas surrounding Mt. Baker, will see some of the heaviest snowfalls. Winds are forecast to gust up to 45 mph, significantly reducing visibility and creating dangerous travel conditions.
In Oregon, the storm will impact the Southern Oregon Cascades, including Crater Lake and the Siskiyou Mountains, where snowfall totals may vary from 3 inches in lower elevations to 2 feet in higher terrain. Strong winds up to 65 mph are expected to worsen conditions, potentially causing damage to trees and power lines…