A parade of powerful storms is set to impact the Pacific Northwest and northern Rockies over the next few days, bringing the first significant snowfall of the season along with teeth-chattering cold. The one-two punch of wintry weather could snarl travel and lead to dangerously low wind chills.
The first in the procession of storms brewing off the Pacific Ocean was expected to crash ashore as early as Monday evening. Meteorologists expected this initial system to drench coastal areas with heavy rain while laying down a dense, wet blanket of snow in the mountains.
"Snow levels should creep up to around 6,000 feet Monday night before colder air sweeps in on Tuesday, sending the snow line plunging to 2,000 feet or lower," said Senior Meteorologist Heather Zehr. "The rapidly changing conditions will make mountain travel extremely hazardous with the likelihood of snow-covered, icy roads."
As the storm pushes inland on Tuesday, intense precipitation bands will spread as far east as Idaho and Montana. Strong winds accompanying the system could whip the falling snow into a blinding, disorienting blast.
"The combination of heavy snow and powerful gusts over 50 mph will create periodic whiteout conditions in the high country," said Meteorologist Andrew Kienzle. "At times, visibility could drop to nearly zero, making mountain passes impassable."