More Wintry Weather Expected to Bring ‘Several Feet’ of Snow to Northwest

A snowplow clears snow from Broadway in Methuen, Mass., on Jan. 7, 2024. Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images

Back-to-back storms are expected to cross the Pacific Northwest on Monday night, bringing “several feet of heavy snow” and strong winds across Cascades, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

The NWS posted an alert on Jan. 7 warning that snow levels in Washington and Oregon Cascades will rise to 5,000 feet on Monday with an atmospheric river.

But they are projected to “quickly fall” to between 1,500 and 2,500 feet behind a cold front on Tuesday, which will lead to “considerable impacts” for many mountain passes with the second storm.

The weather service predicted there will be “over a foot” of snow in the higher altitudes of the Northern Rockies on Tuesday and Wednesday, with snow levels falling below 1,000 feet later in the week.

It also warned the possibility of renewed periods of high surf and strong onshore winds early this week on the coastlines of Washington and Oregon.

“Prepare for blizzard conditions Tuesday morning through Wednesday morning in the Cascades and Blue Mountains if you must travel. Expect 2 to 4 feet of snow by Wednesday morning at the Cascade passes,” NWS Spokane stated on X.

The NWS warned in their forecast discussion on Sunday that snow levels will be higher along the south slopes of the Olympics. Heavy rain will result in sharp rises along the Skokomish River in Mason county and minor flooding is possible Monday night.

The forecast mentioned the possibility of stronger winds along the coast and Strait of Juan de Fuca, which will affect the mountains with gusts ranging from 50 to 60 mph.

“Strong onshore flow will persist Tuesday night into Wednesday and the mountains will see an additional 1 to 5 feet of snow. Down in the lowlands, more rain on tap with storm total rainfall amounts around 1-2. The highest amounts will be along the coast,” it stated.

Wild Weather

A major storm already brought heavy snow and freezing rain to some communities spread across New England on Sunday, sending residents scurrying for their shovels and snowblowers to clear sidewalks and driveways. Winter storm warnings and watches were in effect throughout the Northeast, and icy roads made for hazardous travel as far south as North Carolina.

Storm conditions were felt Sunday evening, including snow in parts of New England and rain and freezing rain around the central Appalachian mountains.

Meanwhile in Florida, Fort Lauderdale authorities reported a tornado touching down near Las Olas and the Intracoastal on Sunday. There have been no reports of injuries resulting from the tornado so far.

“Fort Lauderdale Fire crews are assessing the damage, which appears to be minor. The public should be cautious of any debris and downed power lines in the area,” they stated on X.

More than 11,000 electric customers in California were without power Sunday afternoon.

Some communities in Massachusetts had recorded more than a foot (30 centimeters) of snow by Sunday afternoon, according to the NWS. Nearly 13,000 electric customers in the state were without power on Sunday.

Hundreds of flights at Logan International Airport were delayed or canceled Sunday according to tracking website FlightAware.

The storm reached into Maine with snow totals of up to 12 inches (30 centimeters) in some places—with locally higher amounts over southern New Hampshire and southwestern Maine. Wind gusts up 35 mph (56 kph) could add to blowing and drifting snow. Moderate to heavy snow was expected to continue in Vermont, with total snow accumulations of 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 centimeters).

New York City mainly saw rain, but counties to the north and west recorded double-digit snow totals by Sunday morning. Millbrook in Dutchess County, about 75 miles north of New York, recorded a foot of snow.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul said that the winter storm warning would remain in effect until 7 p.m on Sunday. She urged people to exercise caution, monitor local forecasts and limit travels amid the hazardous weather conditions.

“Winter 2024 has arrived with a classic nor'easter we’ve seen many times before, (and) our crews have been working around the clock to keep us safe,” Ms. Hochul stated on X.

The California Highway Patrol said numerous spinouts and collisions forced an hours-long closure of Interstate 80 from west of Truckee, California, to the state line west of Reno.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.