Winter Storm On Tap For The Northern Cascades | Up To 12" At High Elevations

[Cover Photo: Oregon Department of Transportation]

A cold autumn storm is moving into the Pacific Northwest this weekend and the higher peaks of the northern Cascades could see between 6-12″ of snow with Mt Baker (not the ski area) set to receive upwards of 70″ of snow!

The storm appears to be slow-moving and should affect the region through Monday before letting off sometime midweek.

“Six to twelve inches of snow is expected in the Cascades above 6000 feet from Glacier Peak north towards the Canadian Border on Thursday night and Friday morning. Those venturing into the backcountry should be prepared for this early season snow!” – NWS Seattle

All that rain and snow could create dangerous conditions along the Pacific Crest Trail and local authorities are warning backpackers to be prepared for winter conditions over the weekend.

*Be careful out there people | Photo Credit: NWS Seattle*

NOAA Statement

CASCADES OF WHATCOM AND SKAGIT COUNTIES- CASCADES OF SNOHOMISH AND KING COUNTIES- 753 AM PDT THU OCT 6 2016

…6 TO 12 INCHES OF SNOW EXPECTED OVER THE NORTH CASCADES ABOVE 6000 FEET TONIGHT AND FRIDAY MORNING…

STEADY PRECIPITATION WILL SPREAD INTO THE NORTH CASCADES AFTER SUNSET THIS EVENING…BECOMING INTENSE DURING THE OVERNIGHT HOURS TONIGHT. WITH A FORECAST SNOW LEVEL NEAR 6000 FEET…THIS WILL AMOUNT TO MODERATE AND HEAVY SNOW AMOUNTS FOR HIGH ELEVATIONS. FROM TONIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING…6 TO 12 INCHES OF SNOW ARE EXPECTED ABOVE 6000 FEET FROM THE GLACIER PEAK AREA NORTH TO THE CANADIAN BORDER… INCLUDING HARTS PASS.

THOSE VENTURING INTO THE BACKCOUNTRY…INCLUDING HIKERS ALONG THE PACIFIC CREST TRAIL…NEED TO BE PREPARED FOR THIS EARLY SEASON SNOW OVER THE HIGH COUNTRY.