Snowing Again

Well, we got about 12-14″ of snow a day or so ago. Freezing is an understatement right now…

Alas, it’s snowing again at this moment and has been for about 2 hours. Let us know what is happening in your part of the world or State.

Winter Storm Warning

From Bob Foster. Thanks Bob..
- – - – - – - – - – - – -
Hi All,
Just in case you haven’t heard, the National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for most of Western Washington. If you are aware of this then disregard.
I am giving meterologists the benefit of the doubt on this one and we’ve planned accordingly.
The expected snow accumulations levels aren’t necessarily the biggest threat region wide, potential for high winds and a significant drop in temperatures today pose larger concerns. Be safe out there.
Bob
______________________________________________________________
**Winter Storm Warning for Western Washington**
Wednesday, February 23, 2011 – Seattle, WA

KOMONEWS.COM
SEATTLE – After a day of a little snow sprinkled around the region on Tuesday, Mother Nature is reloading for a widespread snowstorm on Wednesday that threatens to drop several inches in spots and snarl the days commute.

*A warning means conditions are imminent.*
A low pressure center moved in overnight and combined with arctic air blasting into the region from the north to make for a widespread snow event across the region, likely the largest snow in the area since the December 2008 storms.
Snow totals on average will range from 2-6 inches, except more along the northern Olympic Peninsula and there could be locally heavier amounts. In addition, strong, damaging winds will blow out of the Fraser River valley through Bellingham into the San Juan Islands that could reach speeds of 60 mph.

Let’s first break it down by time period:
~Tuesday night~
We’ll continue to see random snow showers roaming around the region before midnight. These are not expected to accumulate except for the foothills where you could see 1-3″ as a storm total through midnight.
Then snow showers will increase from the southwest as moisture rotates around an area of low pressure offshore and into the Puget Sound region toward dawn.

~Wednesday morning~
As those snow showers move in, we could see 1-2″ of snow during the morning commute around the greater Puget Sound region. This will still be a slushy snow as temperatures will remain just above freezing, but still has potential to cause traffic issues. Meanwhile, winds in Whatcom County will increase to 30-35 mph in gusts.
You should still be able to get around, especially the main roads, just not very quickly. However, as challenging as the morning might be, the evening is looking far more daunting.

~Wednesday afternoon and evening~
As the low continues to spin moisture our way from offshore, winds will increase out of the Fraser River Valley to 50-60 mph in gusts. This will be akin to an icy blow dryer that will blast arctic air into the region from the north.
The cold north winds will then collide with the southwesterly winds over Western Washington and make for an enhanced area of convergence — think of it as a super convergence zone. Models right now indicate this battle will brew over Snohomish County making for very heavy bands of snow and likely limited visibilities.
That band of snow will gradually move south through Seattle late Wednesday afternoon and evening as the low pulls off to the south and the north wind pushes along. Thus even the metro area could see a burst of heavy snow during the afternoon and evening commutes. Outside this battle, there will be roaming heavy snow showers as the air becomes unstable and thus we could see some thundersnow-showers as well. And any kind of thundersnow would likely have very heavy snow and gusty winds — again making for poor visibility.
The convergence zone will continue to slide south and behind it will roll in the arctic air, dropping temperatures into the 20s. Thus, a flash freeze akin to what occurred on November 22 is possible and drivers really need to prepare for treacherous conditions. Meanwhile, moisture wrapping back around the low pressure center could roll over the top of this arctic air continuing the snow at times through Wednesday night on to icy roads.
Bottom line, travel around the Puget Sound lowlands will likely be treacherous from early afternoon Wednesday through the night.
Also, freezing spray is an issue up around the San Juans and Whatcom County.

~Wednesday night ~
Snow showers will linger over most of the area, save for the far north, with steady, heavy snows now shifting into southwestern Washington. Could see another 1-2″ on top of whatever already fell. Lows will be down into the 20s, especially north of that convergence zone, so beware of icy roads.

~Thursday~
Snow showers likely to continue into Thursday morning, especially south as the battle between the north and south winds moves south. We’ll clear from the north but stay quite chilly with highs only in the low 30s.

~Thursday night through Saturday~
The snow is done, and now it’s just cold. We’ll be mostly clear Thursday night with lows in the teens to low 20s. Highs Friday under sunshine will struggle to get to freezing. Lows Friday night again will be in the teens to low 20s.
Saturday we start to moderate a little to the mid 30s under partly sunny skies.
Long range models indicate we might be playing the snow guessing game again on Sunday, but we’ll have to see how cold we get after Wednesday’s events.

Snow breakdown by region:
Whatcom County/San Juan: 1-3″, mainly windy is the event there
Clallam: 5-12″
*Skagit/Snohomish: 4-8″
*King/Pierce/Kitsap: 2-6″
Thurston/Mason: 2-5″
Coast: 2-5″
Southwestern Washington: 2-5″

Quick Recap:
* Snow showers continue to roam in Tuesday night. Could see 1-3″ of slushy accumulations late Tuesday night from Seattle area south and west to coast.
* Snow showers increase Wednesday in heavy snow bands. Temps still in mid 30s. Morning commute could be affected.
* Heavy band of snow sets up in North Sound on Wednesday morning, slowly moving south through the afternoon and night.
* Wednesday evening commute could feature heavy snow and/or freezing temperatures with flash freeze on roads a la Nov. 22 possible.
* Snow on northern Olympic Peninsula could be greater than 6″ Wednesday.
* Strong winds blow out of Fraser River Valley gusting to 50-60 mph in Whatcom and San Juan counties.
* Freezing spray an issue to mariners around San Juans and waters off Whatcom County.
* Temperatures to drop below freezing late Wednesday into Wednesday night
* Very cold temperatures expected late Thursday night into Saturday.
* Heavy snow continues in mountain passes.

HeraldNet.com – Local news: Skykomish River claims another home

By Noah Haglund, Herald Writer

INDEX — Long before their next-door neighbor’s house crumbled into the North Fork Skykomish River on Monday, Arlene and Donald McDonald knew their own home was on similarly precarious footing.

The couple has been trying for the past few ….

Read the story via HeraldNet.com – Local news: Skykomish River claims another home.

Cabin swept away by Skykomish River | KING5.com | Seattle News and Video

INDEX, Wash. – A two-story riverside cabin disappeared into the rushing waters of the north fork of the Skykomish River Monday.

Read the complete story via Cabin swept away by Skykomish River | KING5.com | Seattle News and Video.

Flood Warning Ends

THE FLOOD WARNING HAS ENDED FOR THE FOLLOWING RIVERS IN
WA.

TOLT RIVER NEAR CARNATION AFFECTING KING COUNTY.

THE FLOOD WARNING CONTINUES FOR THE FOLLOWING RIVERS IN
WA.

GREEN RIVER NEAR AUBURN AFFECTING KING COUNTY.
SKYKOMISH RIVER NEAR GOLD BAR AFFECTING SNOHOMISH COUNTY.
SNOHOMISH RIVER NEAR MONROE AFFECTING SNOHOMISH COUNTY.
SNOHOMISH RIVER AT SNOHOMISH AFFECTING SNOHOMISH COUNTY.
SNOQUALMIE RIVER NEAR THE FALLS AFFECTING KING COUNTY.
SNOQUALMIE RIVER NEAR CARNATION AFFECTING KING COUNTY.

FLOOD BULLETIN NO. 32

CNTL WEST REGION

HEAVY RAIN ENDED TODAY OVER THE SNOHOMISH DRAINAGE. THE SNOQUALMIE
RIVER SYSTEM REMAINS ABOVE FLOOD STAGE & LWR REACHES OF THE
RIVER HAVE NOT YET CRESTED. THE SKYKOMISH AT GOLD BAR HAS CRESTED
AND IS FALLING. THE TOLT RIVER HAS FALLEN BELOW FLOOD STAGE AND
WILL CONTINUE TO FALL. THE GREEN RIVER WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE MINOR
FLOODING ABOVE AUBURN FOR SEVERAL DAYS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS.

DO NOT DRIVE CARS.VANS.OR TRUCKS THROUGH FLOODED AREAS.THIS IS
THE CAUSE OF MOST FLOOD RELATED DEATHS IN WA. BE ALERT FOR
RAPID CHANGES & MONITOR DEVELOPMENTS BY LISTENING TO NOAA WEATHER
RADIO OR OTHER LOCAL MEDIA.

&&

WAC061-171114-
/O.CON.KSEW.FL.W.0010.000000T0000Z-110118T1048Z/
/GLBW1.2.ER.110116T1552Z.110117T0100Z.110118T0148Z.NO/
714 PM PST SUN JAN 16 2011

THE FLOOD WARNING CONTINUES FOR
THE SKYKOMISH RIVER NEAR GOLD BAR
* UNTIL LATE MON NIGHT.
* AT 6:00 PM SUN THE STAGE WAS 17.6 FEET.
* FLOOD STAGE IS 15.0 FEET.
* MODERATE FLOODING IS OCCURRING & MINOR FLOODING IS FORECAST.
* FORECAST.THE RIVER CRESTED AT 17.8 FEET AT 5 PM SUN & WILL
CONTINUE TO FALL TO BELOW FLOOD STAGE MON EVENING.
* IMPACT.AT 17.0 FEET.THE SKYKOMISH RIVER WILL CAUSE FLOODING FROM
NEAR INDEX DOWNSTREAM THROUGH SULTAN TO THE SNOQUALMIE. FLOOD
WATERS WILL COVER NUMEROUS ROADS.INCLUDING BEN HOWARD RD.
INDEX-GALENA RD & TUALCO LOOP RD. FLOODING IN THE TOWN OF SULTAN
WILL BEGIN. A STAGE OF 17 FEET ON THE SKYKOMISH RIVER CORRESPONDS
TO A PHASE 3 IN THE SNOHOMISH COUNTY FLOOD PROGRAM.

$$

WAC061-171114-
/O.CON.KSEW.FL.W.0017.000000T0000Z-110119T0738Z/
/MROW1.3.ER.110117T0046Z.110117T1200Z.110118T2238Z.NO/
714 PM PST SUN JAN 16 2011

THE FLOOD WARNING CONTINUES FOR
THE SNOHOMISH RIVER NEAR MONROE
* UNTIL TUES EVENING.
* AT 6:30 PM SUN THE STAGE WAS 15.5 FEET.
* FLOOD STAGE IS 15.0 FEET.
* MINOR FLOODING IS OCCURRING & MAJOR FLOODING IS FORECAST.
* FORECAST.THE RIVER WILL CONTINUE TO RISE & CREST NEAR 18.0 FEET
AROUND 6 AM MONDAY. THE RIVER WILL FALL BELOW FLOOD STAGE EARLY
TUES AFTERNOON.
* IMPACT.AT 17.0 FEET.THE SNOHOMISH RIVER WILL CAUSE MAJOR
FLOODING.INUNDATING FARM LAND.ROADS.& SOME RESIDENTIAL
AREAS. LEVEES WILL LIKELY SUFFER DAMAGE. FLOODING WILL OCCUR ALL
ALONG THE RIVER INCLUDING HEADWATERS.TRIBUTARIES.& OTHER
STREAMS WITHIN & NEAR THE SNOHOMISH RIVER BASIN. A STAGE OF 17
FEET AT THIS LOCATION CORRESPONDS TO PHASE 2 IN THE SNOHOMISH
COUNTY FLOOD WARNING SYSTEM.

$$

WAC061-171114-
/O.CON.KSEW.FL.W.0018.000000T0000Z-110119T2323Z/
/SNAW1.3.ER.110116T2306Z.110117T1200Z.110119T1423Z.NO/
714 PM PST SUN JAN 16 2011

THE FLOOD WARNING CONTINUES FOR
THE SNOHOMISH RIVER AT SNOHOMISH
* UNTIL WED AFTERNOON.
* AT 6:30 PM SUN THE STAGE WAS 25.8 FEET.
* FLOOD STAGE IS 25.0 FEET.
* MINOR FLOODING IS OCCURRING & MAJOR FLOODING IS FORECAST.
* FORECAST.THE RIVER WILL CONTINUE TO RISE & CREST NEAR 29.8 FEET
AROUND 6 AM MONDAY. THE RIVER WILL FALL BELOW FLOOD STAGE WEDNESDAY
MORNING.
* IMPACT.AT 29.0 FEET.THE SNOHOMISH RIVER WILL FLOOD LOW FARM
LANDS & SEVERAL ROADS.INCLUDING RIVERVIEW RD & THE
SNOHOMISH-MONROE HIGHWAY. HIDE TIDAL LEVELS COULD WORSEN FLOODING
ON THE LWR DELTA & EBEY ISLAND. FLOODING WILL OCCUR ALL ALONG
THE RIVER INCLUDING HEADWATERS.TRIBUTARIES.& OTHER STREAMS
WITHIN & NEAR THE SNOHOMISH RIVER BASIN. A STAGE OF 29 FEET ON
THE SNOHOMISH RIVER CORRESPONDS TO A PHASE 3 IN THE SNOHOMISH
COUNTY FLOOD PROGRAM.

$$

WAC033-170344-
/O.CAN.KSEW.FL.W.0011.000000T0000Z-110117T1053Z/
/TOLW1.1.ER.110116T1827Z.110116T2115Z.110116T2336Z.NO/
714 PM PST SUN JAN 16 2011

THE FLOOD WARNING HAS ENDED FOR
THE TOLT RIVER NEAR CARNATION
* AT 6:15 PM SUN THE FLOW WAS 3771 CFS.
* FLOOD FLOW IS 4500 CFS.
* FELL BELOW FLOOD FLOW LATE THIS AFTERNOON.
* FORECAST.THE RIVER FELL BELOW FLOOD STAGE 3:36 PM SUN AND
WILL CONTINUE TO FALL.
* IMPACT.AT 2500 CFS.THE TOLT RIVER WILL SPILL OVER ITS BANKS WITH
WATER OVER TOLT RIVER RD & SOME DRIVEWAYS IN THE SAN SOUCI AREA.
THIS RIVER LEVEL ON THE TOLT CORRESPONDS TO A PHASE 2 FLOOD IN THE
KING COUNTY FLOOD SYSTEM.

$$

WAC033-171113-
/O.CON.KSEW.FL.W.0012.000000T0000Z-110118T1525Z/
/SQUW1.2.ER.110116T1308Z.110117T0230Z.110118T0625Z.NO/
714 PM PST SUN JAN 16 2011

THE FLOOD WARNING CONTINUES FOR
THE SNOQUALMIE RIVER NEAR THE FALLS
* UNTIL TUES MORNING.
* AT 6:30 PM SUN THE FLOW WAS 37650 CFS.
* FLOOD FLOW IS 20000 CFS.
* MODERATE FLOODING IS OCCURRING & MODERATE FLOODING IS FORECAST.
* FORECAST.THE RIVER HAS CRESTED & WILL CONTINUE TO FALL TO BELOW
FLOOD FLOW MON NIGHT.
* IMPACT.AT 30000 CFS.THE SNOQUALMIE RIVER WILL CAUSE WIDESPREAD
FLOODING OF PASTURE LANDS & ROADS ALONG THE RIVER FROM THE TOWN
OF SNOQUALMIE DOWNSTREAM THROUGH FALL CITY. ROADS THAT MAY BECOME
FLOODED INCLUDE FALL CITY-CARNATION.TOLT HILL.& NOVELTY FLATS
ROADS. THIS RIVER LEVEL ON THE SNOQUALMIE CORRESPONDS ROUGHLY TO A
PHASE 3 FLOOD IN THE KING COUNTY FLOOD SYSTEM.

$$

WAC033-171113-
/O.CON.KSEW.FL.W.0002.000000T0000Z-110119T0813Z/
/CRNW1.2.ER.110115T0238Z.110117T1800Z.110118T2313Z.NO/
714 PM PST SUN JAN 16 2011

THE FLOOD WARNING CONTINUES FOR
THE SNOQUALMIE RIVER NEAR CARNATION
* UNTIL LATE TUES NIGHT.
* AT 6:30 PM SUN THE STAGE WAS 56.6 FEET.
* FLOOD STAGE IS 54.0 FEET.
* MODERATE FLOODING IS OCCURRING & MODERATE FLOODING IS FORECAST.
* FORECAST.THE RIVER WILL CONTINUE TO RISE & CREST NEAR 57.8 FEET
AROUND 10 AM MONDAY. THE RIVER WILL FALL BELOW FLOOD STAGE TUESDAY
AFTERNOON.
* IMPACT.AT 56.0 FEET.THE SNOQUALMIE RIVER WILL CAUSE WIDESPREAD
FLOODING FROM FALL CITY DOWNSTREAM THROUGH CARNATION & DUVALL.
INUNDATING MUCH OF THE FARM LAND & NUMEROUS ROADS.

$$

WAC033-171113-
/O.EXT.KSEW.FL.W.0013.000000T0000Z-000000T0000Z/
/AUBW1.1.ER.110117T0000Z.110117T1800Z.000000T0000Z.NO/
714 PM PST SUN JAN 16 2011

THE FLOOD WARNING CONTINUES FOR
THE MIDDLE GREEN RIVER UPSTREAM OF AUBURN
* UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
* AT 6:45 PM SUN THE STAGE WAS 61.8 FEET OR 9295 CFS.
* FLOOD STAGE IS 61.7 FEET OR 9000 CFS.
* MINOR FLOODING IS OCCURRING & MINOR FLOODING IS FORECAST.
* FORECAST.THE RIVER WILL CONTINUE TO RISE & CREST NEAR 62.2 FEET
AROUND 10 AM MONDAY.
* IMPACT.AT 61.7 FEET.THE GREEN RIVER WILL FLOOD LOW AREAS OF THE
MIDDLE GREEN RIVER VALLEY WITH WATER OVER SE GREEN VALLEY RD. SOME
BACKWATER INUNDATION IS POSSIBLE IN LWR MILL CREEK BASIN BETWEEN
AUBURN & KENT. A STAGE OF 61.7 FEET ON THE GREEN RIVER
CORRESPONDS ROUGHLY TO A PHASE 3 FLOOD IN THE KING COUNTY FLOOD
SYSTEM.

$$
BURKE
WEATHER.GOV/SEATTLE

Is it going to QUIT or????

It appears that the snow is messing with us.

Poor Bill Cross, the Town Maintenance “guy” is really putting in some hours, keeping our few streets as clean as he can. Between the compact ice and snow, it’s getting tougher as time passes.

Hopefully…See the rest on our Forums.

We Survived

I think the windstorm we had a couple of days ago was worse than the 2006 windstorm.

In 2006 it was very wet and in a one or two hour period, 52 trees fell across HWY 2 between Index and Four Lanes.

This year was not as wet but the wind was more powerful than the 2006 storm..

What’s your input? Leave a comment if you can please.

We lost power for 23 hours and 45 minutes and phone lines were still dead at 9pm last night (they are up now)…

Alert: Weather Change

copy and paste from AccuWeather.com

..A SWITCH TO AN ACTIVE WEATHER PATTERN WILL OCCUR THE END OF THIS WEEK… …THE FIRST SIGNIFICANT SNOWFALL OF THE SEASON IS POSSIBLE IN THE MOUNTAINS LATE THIS WEEKEND OR EARLY NEXT WEEK…

THE DRY AND TRANQUIL WEATHER OF LATE WILL COME TO AN END THURSDAY. THE FIRST IN A SERIES OF PACIFIC STORMS WILL BRING A THREAT OF RAIN TO THE AREA THURSDAY NIGHT AND FRIDAY. THIS SYSTEM WILL BE FAIRLY WEAK…WITH MUCH OF THE ACTION STAYING TO OUR NORTH. ANOTHER WEAK SYSTEM WILL PASS MAINLY TO OUR SOUTH ON SATURDAY.

ALAS…THE STORM TO WATCH WILL BE THE ONE DUE TO AFFECT THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY. THIS SYSTEM PROMISES TO BRING A PERIOD OF LOCALLY HEAVY RAIN TO THE AREA AS WELL AS WINDY CONDITIONS. THIS STORM WILL BE FAST MOVING…WITH THE FRONT EXPECTED TO SWEEP ACROSS WESTERN WASHINGTON DURING THE DAY SUNDAY.

THE STRONG FRONT WILL USHER IN A COLDER AIR MASS…RESULTING IN SNOW LEVELS FALLING TO NEAR 3500 FEET BY EARLY MONDAY. THUS SNOW CAN BE EXPECTED TO IMPACT ALL OF THE MAJOR CASCADE PASSES. STRONG AND MOIST WESTERLY FLOW COMBINED WITH AN UNSTABLE AIR MASS COULD RESULT IN SIGNIFICANT SNOWFALL IN THE MOUNTAINS…ESPECIALLY THE CASCADES…SUNDAY NIGHT AND MONDAY.

THOSE PLANNING OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES…ESPECIALLY IN THE MOUNTAINS… SHOULD STAY TUNED TO THE LATEST UPDATES FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ON THIS UPCOMING EVENT. BE PREPARED FOR THE POSSIBILITY OF WINTRY WEATHER CONDITIONS IN THE MOUNTAINS LATE THIS WEEKEND AND EARLY NEXT WEEK.

December 13-14 Is For Star Gazers

For those interested, if we are lucky enough to have a clear view, the Geminids meteor shower(s) will be visible in Western Washington on Decemeber 13th & 14th.

Word has it that there will be 75-100 meteors per hour.

I have personally noticed an increase in the early a.m. already of this phenomenon. We’ve seen about one or two at random intervals for the past 3 days.

POSSIBLE WINDY WEATHER HEADING OUR WAY

Issued by The National Weather Service
Seattle/Tacoma, WA
4:57 pm PST, Tue., Nov. 3, 2009

… WINDY CONDITIONS FOR THE MOUNTAINS… COAST… AND NORTHERN INTERIOR THURSDAY…

A STRONG PACIFIC FRONTAL SYSTEM WILL IMPACT WESTERN WASHINGTON ON THURSDAY. BREEZY SOUTHEASTERLY WINDS ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT WILL BECOME SOUTH-SOUTHWEST ON THURSDAY FOR THE NORTH INTERIOR AND COAST INCREASING TO 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUST AS HIGH AS 50 MPH.

WINDS JUST ABOVE THE SURFACE WILL BE VERY STRONG ON THURSDAY. RIDGETOP WINDS FOR THE OLYMPICS AND LOWER SOUTH FACING SLOPES WILL RANGE FROM 45 TO 65 MPH WITH HIGHER GUSTS POSSIBLE. RIDGETOP WINDS ALONG THE SOUTHERN SLOPES OF THE CASCADES WILL ALSO BE WINDY… WITH SUSTAINED WINDS UP TO 50 MPH POSSIBLE. THE STRONG WINDS WILL ALSO BE ACCOMPANIED BY HEAVY RAINS… COMBINING FOR DANGEROUS CONDITIONS IN THE MOUNTAINS.

STAY TUNED FOR THE LATEST FORECAST UPDATES.