Heavy Mountain Snow Likely in Cascades and Northern Rockies Through Thursday

An active stretch of weather is set to bring snow to the Cascades starting tonight and lasting through Thursday. Snow levels will steadily drop over the next few days, beginning near 5000 feet tonight, falling to around 4000 feet Tuesday night, and reaching about 3000 feet by Wednesday night into Thursday. Snow will start out showery and on-and-off with light to moderate amounts and some heavier bursts, then become steadier and heavier from Tuesday night into Wednesday before turning more showery again Wednesday night into Thursday.

The highest amounts are expected in the higher elevations of the Washington Cascades. There are strong chances for more than 8 inches of snow through Thursday, with solid chances for over a foot in those upper elevations. This will be the main focus for the deepest accumulations in the range.

Drivers should watch conditions at the main Cascade passes. There is a moderate chance of minor impacts and winter driving conditions down to Snoqualmie and Stevens passes as the snow builds and snow levels lower. Plan extra time and check conditions if traveling through these areas later this week.

Mountain snow will continue across the northern Rockies through Thursday as well. Snow levels will settle generally between 4000 and 6000 feet, lowest farther north and a bit higher toward the south. Periods of snow can become lengthy at times, and intensity may turn heavy in spots.

Early in the period, snow will focus on the high elevations of eastern Idaho, southwest Montana, and northwest Wyoming. There are good chances for more than 8 inches in these higher terrain areas. The heaviest totals should stay above most pass levels, though some minor travel impacts remain possible at various mountain passes.

By Wednesday the focus shifts northward into the ranges of northern Idaho and northwest Montana, including areas like the Lewis Range and Glacier National Park. Higher elevations here have solid chances for more than a foot of snow. Again the deepest amounts should remain above the main passes, but winter driving conditions are still possible at some locations.

Farther east, a system will bring mainly light to briefly moderate snow from parts of north-central South Dakota and south-central North Dakota into northern Minnesota tonight into Tuesday morning. Accumulations should range from a coating up to an inch, or two inches at most, and will mostly stick to colder, elevated, or grassy surfaces. Impacts on paved roads look limited, with only a low chance of minor winter driving inconveniences.

Elsewhere across the country, significant snow is not expected based on the current outlook. The chance of any meaningful ice is also very low nationwide. Travelers and residents outside the Cascades, northern Rockies, and the northern Plains should see little disruption from snow or ice through Thursday.