Forecasters are warning that a strong winter storm aimed at Western Washington could be life threatening.
Beginning Saturday afternoon, blizzard conditions will develop in the mountain passes and near hurricane-force winds are predicted to gust off the Cascade Range. As much as a half-foot of snow could fall in Everett.
“It has the potential to be a notable and historic storm for some areas,” said Brad Colman, a senior meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Seattle. Colman briefed reporters this afternoon.
Weather conditions in the county will vary with heavy snow and blowing winds near Stevens Pass. In the low hills of Lake Stevens, Snohomish, Monroe, Arlington and Granite Falls, strong winds with gusts up to 50 mph are expected but less snowfall. For coastal areas, including much of the rest of Snohomish County, as much as 6 inches of snow could accumulate with winds gusting near 30 mph, Colman said.
People who live in the lowlands may have time to do last-minute shopping during day light hours Saturday, Colman said.
For residents living in mountain communities, if they don’t complete their business in the morning, “they may not get home,” he said.
As low pressure off the coast draws Artic air from the eastern plains, dangerous, freezing winds are expected to rush over the Cascades. They should be powerful enough to blow down power lines, trees and cause damage to homes, officials said. Widespread power outages are likely.
The rapidly changing weather conditions also have created an avalanche risk in the backcountry.
The storm is forecast to subside Sunday, but may bring a fresh set of problems. Frozen storm drains could cause street flooding when melting snow and ice has no place to run off.
Widespread flooding, however, is not expected to be a threat, Colman said.
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