Rain, Mountain Snows Return to Pacific Northwest

By Brian Edwards, Meteorologist

November 12,2012; 6:28PM,EST

After a couple of mainly dry but chilly days in the Pacific Northwest, rain and mountain snow will return to the region this afternoon and tonight.
A chilly bubble of high pressure, which was controlling the weather, has shifted into the Rockies.
This will pave the way for a cold front to slam into the Pacific Northwest this afternoon and tonight.
Rain will develop from Seattle and Olympia through Portland and continue into the first half of the day on Monday.
Along with the rain, snow will fall at higher elevation in the Cascades. Snow levels will initially start out near 2,500 feet Sunday afternoon before actually rising to 4,000 feet by Monday morning as some milder air moves in from the Pacific.
Snowfall totals of 3-6 inches are likely for Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass with up to a foot above 5,000 feet.
Some snow will even develop over parts of central and eastern Washington tonight, bringing accumulating snows to Wenatchee and Spokane.
Up to an inch or two of snow accumulation could occur in these cities before a mix with rain on Monday.

Rain will taper to a few lingering showers during the day Monday at the coast, but accumulating snows will continue in the Cascades into the day on Tuesday.
Travel could become difficult tonight along Interstate 90 through the Cascades and Interstate 84 in Oregon.
Slick conditions along I-5 from Vancouver through Salem, Ore. could lead to travel delays and slowdowns.


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