48-HOUR FORECAST FOR WASHINGTON PASS OBSERVATION SITE, STEHEKIN, WA
FORECAST CONFIDENCE LEVEL: High
48-HOUR OVERVIEW
- Possible Snow Start Time: Tuesday, 2 PM (chance exceeds 20%)
- Likely Snow Start Time: Tuesday, 7 PM (chance exceeds 65%)
- Total Snow Accumulation: 6-8 inches by Wednesday evening
- Total Ice Accumulation: None expected
- Likely Snow End Time: Wednesday, 2 PM (chance falls below 60%)
- Possible Snow End Time: Thursday, 8 AM (chance falls below 20%)
- Critical Remarks: Snowfall will be persistent from Tuesday evening through Wednesday with high accumulation potential. Moderate winds may contribute to reduced visibility and drifts. Hazardous travel conditions are likely.
PREPARATION
- Pre-Storm Key Actions:
- Consider anti-icing treatment by 1 PM Tuesday as snow is likely to start around 2 PM.
- Ensure snow-clearing equipment is prepared by 5 PM Tuesday.
- Prepare for continuous snow clearing starting Tuesday night through Wednesday evening.
DETAILED FORECAST FOR WASHINGTON PASS OBSERVATION SITE
Tuesday Day (6 AM to 6 PM)
- Expected weather: Cloudy with a few snow showers developing by late morning and becoming more consistent by mid-afternoon.
- Max Temperature: 29°F
- Chance of Precipitation: Moderate Chance: 40% by 2 PM, increasing to Elevated Chance: 56% by 6 PM
- Hours Expected to Be Below Freezing: All day
- Predicted Snow/Ice Accumulation: Less than 1 inch by 6 PM
- Pavement Overview: Light salting recommended for afternoon snow showers; plan for clearing as snow begins.
- Wind: West-Southwest at 5-7 mph, with light but steady winds.
- Total Precipitation Expected (Melted Snow/Rain/Ice): 0.06 inches (light snow accumulation).
Tuesday Night (6 PM to 6 AM)
- Expected weather: Snow will become heavier and more consistent, especially after 8 PM, with accumulations of 5-8 inches by morning.
- Min Temperature: 23°F
- Chance of Precipitation: Very Likely: 90-100%
- Hours Expected to Be Below Freezing: All night
- Predicted Snow/Ice Accumulation: 5-8 inches
- Pavement Overview: Begin continuous snow removal operations; consider heavier salt application where appropriate.
- Wind: East-Southeast at 6-8 mph, steady through the night.
- Total Precipitation Expected (Melted Snow/Rain/Ice): 0.59 inches (significant snowfall expected).
Wednesday Day (6 AM to 6 PM)
- Expected weather: Heavy morning snow tapering off to snow showers by early afternoon, then intermittent through the evening.
- Max Temperature: 30°F
- Chance of Precipitation: Very Likely: 85-90% until 2 PM, then reducing to 40% by the evening
- Hours Expected to Be Below Freezing: All day
- Predicted Snow/Ice Accumulation: Additional 3-5 inches by mid-afternoon
- Pavement Overview: Continue snow-clearing operations through the morning; lighter salt application may be necessary as snow decreases.
- Wind: East-Southeast at 6-7 mph, decreasing toward evening.
- Total Precipitation Expected (Melted Snow/Rain/Ice): 0.38 inches (substantial snow accumulation).
Wednesday Night (6 PM to 6 AM)
- Expected weather: Intermittent snow showers, gradually tapering off with less than an inch additional accumulation possible.
- Min Temperature: 24°F
- Chance of Precipitation: Moderate Chance: 35% in the early evening, diminishing to 20% by midnight
- Hours Expected to Be Below Freezing: All night
- Predicted Snow/Ice Accumulation: Less than 1 inch
- Pavement Overview: Light snow-clearing operations as needed; maintain treated surfaces to prevent ice.
- Wind: Light and variable, generally SSE at 4 mph.
- Total Precipitation Expected (Melted Snow/Rain/Ice): 0.04 inches (light snow).
