A significant multi-day storm is bearing down on the Washington Cascades. The National Weather Service has issued a stacked sequence of Winter Storm Warnings and a Blizzard Warning covering nearly every major ski area in the state from Wednesday evening through 5am Saturday, with the storm set to bring lots of snow in two distinct phases.
Phase One: Blizzard Warning, Wednesday 6pm through Thursday 5am
A Blizzard Warning is in effect tonight across the Cascades, including Stevens Pass, Mount Baker, Snoqualmie Pass, Crystal Mountain, White Pass, and the Olympics. Wind gusts will reach 50 to 60 mph with visibilities potentially dropping below a quarter mile. Travel on mountain passes Wednesday night should be avoided entirely.
Phase Two: Winter Storm Warning, Thursday 5am through Saturday 5am
Once the blizzard clears, a Winter Storm Warning takes over through Saturday morning. The NWS is forecasting 1 to 3 feet of additional accumulation across a wide corridor covering Baker, Stevens, Snoqualmie, Crystal, and White Pass. The Olympics are included as well, with Hurricane Ridge expected to receive 1 to 3 feet of snow alongside gusts up to 40 mph.
Stevens Pass is positioned for the heaviest totals in the state. A separate warning sequence from NWS Spokane covers Western Chelan County across all three storm phases, with combined accumulations potentially approaching 4 feet by Saturday morning.
Snow levels will rise briefly Wednesday night before colder air returns early Thursday, dropping temperatures into the 20s and locking in all-snow conditions through the weekend at upper elevations.
Do not drive mountain passes Wednesday night. Check road conditions at wsdot.wa.gov/travel before any travel Thursday or Friday, and carry a winter survival kit.
