Back-to-back storms offer no break for the northwestern US this week

By Renee Duff, AccuWeather meteorologist

March 4,2017, 7:09:59AM,EST

 The northwestern United States will not catch a break from unsettled weather as more rain and snow is in store into next week.

A storm will press inland into Monday, followed by a second storm on Tuesday. By Thursday, a third storm will be in the offing.
The weekend storm will be the coldest of the bunch and will make the most progress southward across California.
Snow piling up in feet across the Cascades and Sierra Nevada will lead to further dangers for travelers venturing over the mountain passes.

As feet of snow falls at a rapid pace into Sunday night, snarled travel is possible across I-80’s Donner Pass. Lane restrictions and closures may occur.
“Reduced visibility will make travel especially treacherous through the passes,” AccuWeather Meteorologist Kyle Brown said. “Into next week, there will also be times of slow travel along Snoqualmie and Santiam passes in the Cascades.”
Snow over the weekend may not be confined to the highest peaks. The coastal ranges of Washington and Oregon and even along Interstate 5 could mix with or changeover to all snow after starting as rain.
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“Sunday night into Monday is when some snowflakes will mix with rain in Seattle and Portland, Oregon, which could create some slick spots for the Monday morning commute,” Brown said.
It only takes a thin coating of snow on roadways to heighten the risk of car pileups. Motorists should allot extra time to reach their destinations and reduce highway speeds.
“The next storm arriving on Tuesday will be moving in from the south, which will bring a warmer air mass and rising snow levels to the region,” Brown said.
Aside from the far northernmost reaches of the state, California will be spared the storm’s impacts. The brunt of the rain will soak coastal Washington and Oregon. Heavy snow will further bury the Cascades.

Winds will pack a punch along the coast and threaten to down trees and power lines.
The threat for flooding will heighten through the week as rising temperatures trigger snow melt and possible ice jams.
The wet pattern through early March is a continuation of a stormy start to 2017 across the Northwest.
Precipitation totals in Seattle and Portland are running at least 4 inches above average since Jan. 1.