A blast of Arctic air is set to push into the Pacific Northwest this weekend, bringing plunging temperatures, mountain snow, and the potential for lowland snowfall in some areas, meteorologists say.
According to Michael Snyder of the Pacific Northwest Weather Watch, cold air spilling down from Alaska will begin arriving this Saturday, Feb.. 1, 2025, driving snow levels lower and increasing the chances of snowfall for portions of Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia.
“Some places have the potential for heavy snowfall,” Snyder said. “Not everybody is going to get snow, but areas under persistent convergence zones could see significant accumulation.”
Highline Public Schools on Thursday even issued a warning on preparing for weather-related closures on its website.
Here’s Snyder’s latest forecast video:
The National Weather Service has issued winter storm watches for the Cascades in Washington and Oregon, with 18 to 30 inches of snow expected in Stevens Pass by Saturday. Winter storm warnings are already in effect for portions of Medford, Crater Lake, and western Montana.
The timing and extent of lowland snowfall remain uncertain, but meteorologists are monitoring the potential for accumulations in the Seattle and Portland metro areas. Snyder noted that if moisture lingers into Monday, freezing temperatures could lead to icy conditions and travel disruptions.
“This could start to get really interesting,” Snyder said, adding that another round of cold air could bring additional snow chances next week.
In addition to snow, the region is expected to experience frigid wind chills in the 20s across western Washington, with subzero readings possible in British Columbia and Montana. Freezing rain is also a concern in parts of the Willamette Valley and Columbia River Gorge.
Travelers are advised to prepare for winter weather conditions, particularly in higher elevations, and to stay updated on forecasts as the system develops.
Detailed 7-Day Forecast
Here’s the latest 7-day forecast as published on Jan. 30, 2025:
- Thursday: A slight chance of rain before 4pm, then a slight chance of rain after 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 43. South wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Thursday Night: Rain, mainly after 8pm. Low around 39. South wind 5 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
- Friday: Rain. High near 48. South wind 9 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
- Friday Night: Snow showers, possibly mixed with rain. Low around 34. South southwest wind 11 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
- Saturday: Snow showers, possibly mixed with rain before 7am, then snow showers between 7am and 1pm, then snow showers, possibly mixed with rain after 1pm. High near 40. South southwest wind 11 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
- Saturday Night: Snow showers, possibly mixed with rain, becoming all snow after 7pm. Low around 32. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
- Sunday: Snow showers before 4pm, then snow showers, possibly mixed with rain. High near 39. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
- Sunday Night: Snow showers, possibly mixed with rain, becoming all snow after 7pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29.
- Monday: Snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 36.
- Monday Night: Snow showers likely, mainly before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25.
- Tuesday: A chance of snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 34.
- Tuesday Night: A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 23.
- Wednesday: A chance of snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 35.