Major snowstorm expected this week Storm could mimic destructive 1996 storm 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Photo: AP Image 1 of / 44 Caption Close Image 1 of 44 Pedestrians walk across a hill in Seattle during a snowstorm, Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012. Several inches of snow fell quickly Sunday morning, snarling traffic and clogging roadways. Pedestrians walk across a hill in Seattle during a snowstorm, Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012. Several inches of snow fell quickly Sunday morning, snarling traffic and clogging roadways. Photo: AP Image 2 of 44 Cars and a bus sit stuck on a hill on 24th Avenue East during a snowstorm in Seattle, Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012. Several inches of snow fell quickly Sunday morning, snarling traffic and clogging roadways. Cars and a bus sit stuck on a hill on 24th Avenue East during a snowstorm in Seattle, Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012. Several inches of snow fell quickly Sunday morning, snarling traffic and clogging roadways. Photo: AP Image 3 of 44 A pedestrians uses her umbrella for snow instead of Seattle's typical rain as she walks near a street-closure sign in Seattle during a snowstorm, Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012. Several inches of snow fell quickly Sunday morning, snarling traffic and clogging roadways. A pedestrians uses her umbrella for snow instead of Seattle's typical rain as she walks near a street-closure sign in Seattle during a snowstorm, Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012. Several inches of snow fell quickly ... more Photo: AP Image 4 of 44 People push a car uphill next to a bus showing an travel advertisement for skiing in Montana, Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012, in Seattle. Several inches of snow fell quickly Sunday morning, snarling traffic and clogging roadways. People push a car uphill next to a bus showing an travel advertisement for skiing in Montana, Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012, in Seattle. Several inches of snow fell quickly Sunday morning, snarling traffic and clogging ... more Photo: AP Image 5 of 44 Cars and a bus sit stuck on a hill on 24th Ave. E. during a snowstorm in Seattle, Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012. Several inches of snow fell quickly Sunday morning, snarling traffic and clogging roadways. Cars and a bus sit stuck on a hill on 24th Ave. E. during a snowstorm in Seattle, Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012. Several inches of snow fell quickly Sunday morning, snarling traffic and clogging roadways. Photo: AP Image 6 of 44 Ivy Page-Salisbury, 13, walks her dog "Lily" in during a snowstorm in Seattle, Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012. Several inches of snow fell quickly Sunday morning, snarling traffic and clogging roadways. Ivy Page-Salisbury, 13, walks her dog "Lily" in during a snowstorm in Seattle, Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012. Several inches of snow fell quickly Sunday morning, snarling traffic and clogging roadways. Photo: AP Image 7 of 44 A bicyclist walks as he makes his way across a snowy roadway near Interstate 5 just north of downtown Seattle Sunday afternoon, Jan. 15, 2012. Snow showers blanketed most of Western Washington over the weekend, and more is on the way next week. The National Weather Service says more snow showers are expected for Monday and Tuesday, and although computers models aren't complete, Wednesday is forecast to deliver the heaviest load of snow. A bicyclist walks as he makes his way across a snowy roadway near Interstate 5 just north of downtown Seattle Sunday afternoon, Jan. 15, 2012. Snow showers blanketed most of Western Washington over the weekend, ... more Photo: AP Image 8 of 44 Good samaritan Refugio Nava puts chains on a van being driven by Burgundy Scott at the top of a hill on 24th Ave. E. during a snowstorm in Seattle, Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012. Several inches of snow fell quickly Sunday morning, snarling traffic and clogging roadways. Scott says she thought she could make it out for a quick trip to the grocery store, but ended up at the top of the hill trying to figure out a way to get home. Good samaritan Refugio Nava puts chains on a van being driven by Burgundy Scott at the top of a hill on 24th Ave. E. during a snowstorm in Seattle, Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012. Several inches of snow fell quickly ... more Photo: AP Image 9 of 44 A woman skies past a large snow cat in the Washington Park Arboretum on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012. Photo: Vanessa Ho/seattlepi.com. A woman skies past a large snow cat in the Washington Park Arboretum on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012. Photo: Vanessa Ho/seattlepi.com. Image 10 of 44 Ken Cunningham shovels his sidewalk during a snowstorm in Seattle, Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012. Several inches of snow fell quickly Sunday morning, snarling traffic and clogging roadways. Cunningham said he moved to the area from Chicago, so he knows how to deal with snow, but he added that snow plows are out almost immediately in that city when the snow flies. Ken Cunningham shovels his sidewalk during a snowstorm in Seattle, Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012. Several inches of snow fell quickly Sunday morning, snarling traffic and clogging roadways. Cunningham said he moved to ... more Photo: AP Image 11 of 44 Stephanie Jeter, left, watches as her dog Lola, a German Shorthaired Pointer, catches a snowball in Cal Anderson Park on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012. The neighborhood saw its first few inches of snow Sunday afternoon, with more showers expected on Monday. Stephanie Jeter, left, watches as her dog Lola, a German Shorthaired Pointer, catches a snowball in Cal Anderson Park on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012. The neighborhood saw its first few inches of snow Sunday ... more Photo: LINDSEY WASSON Image 12 of 44 Tina Prekaski, 11, looks up at a snowman estimated to be about 15 feet-tall on Sunday, January 15, 2012 at Maple Leaf Park in Seattle. Many in the park were unsure how the extra-tall Frosty was built. Tina Prekaski, 11, looks up at a snowman estimated to be about 15 feet-tall on Sunday, January 15, 2012 at Maple Leaf Park in Seattle. Many in the park were unsure how the extra-tall Frosty was built. Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO Image 13 of 44 Brittany Doyle and Stuart Haury turn the Jimi Hendrix statue on Broadway Ave. outside of Blick Art Materials into a snowman in Seattle on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012. (Photo by Lindsey Wasson). Brittany Doyle and Stuart Haury turn the Jimi Hendrix statue on Broadway Ave. outside of Blick Art Materials into a snowman in Seattle on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012. (Photo by Lindsey Wasson). Photo: LINDSEY WASSON Image 14 of 44 Buses stuck on Jefferson St. near the intersection of Jefferson St. and 12th Ave. in Seattle on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012. Snow in Seattle has made it difficult for vehicles to maintain traction on the roads. Buses stuck on Jefferson St. near the intersection of Jefferson St. and 12th Ave. in Seattle on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012. Snow in Seattle has made it difficult for vehicles to maintain traction on the roads. Photo: JOE DYER Image 15 of 44 Finnegan Bolz, 20 months, looks up at the falling snow at Cal Anderson Park on Capitol Hill on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012. The neighborhood saw its first few inches of snow Sunday afternoon, with more showers expected on Monday. Finnegan Bolz, 20 months, looks up at the falling snow at Cal Anderson Park on Capitol Hill on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012. The neighborhood saw its first few inches of snow Sunday afternoon, with more showers ... more Photo: LINDSEY WASSON Image 16 of 44 Flags peek out at a used car lot on Lake City Way as snow falls on Sunday, January 15, 2012 in north Seattle. The accumulation of the white stuff made driving hazardous on the slippery roads. Flags peek out at a used car lot on Lake City Way as snow falls on Sunday, January 15, 2012 in north Seattle. The accumulation of the white stuff made driving hazardous on the slippery roads. Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO Image 17 of 44 Seattle University students sled down a hill near the Murphy apartments in Seattle on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012. Seattle University students sled down a hill near the Murphy apartments in Seattle on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012. Photo: JOE DYER Image 18 of 44 Traffic accumulates on The neighborhood saw its first few inches of snow Sunday afternoon, with more showers expected on Monday. Traffic accumulates on The neighborhood saw its first few inches of snow Sunday afternoon, with more showers expected on Monday. Photo: LINDSEY WASSON Image 19 of 44 Footprints are shown in the snow on Sunday, January 15, 2012 in north Seattle. Footprints are shown in the snow on Sunday, January 15, 2012 in north Seattle. Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO Image 20 of 44 An articulated Metro bus is stuck on a road in north Seattle as snow falls on Sunday, January 15, 2012 in north Seattle. The accumulation of the white stuff made driving hazardous on the slippery roads. An articulated Metro bus is stuck on a road in north Seattle as snow falls on Sunday, January 15, 2012 in north Seattle. The accumulation of the white stuff made driving hazardous on the slippery roads. Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO Image 21 of 44 Even in the snow, Dick's on Capitol Hill still draws customers on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012. The neighborhood saw its first few inches of snow Sunday afternoon, with more showers expected on Monday. Even in the snow, Dick's on Capitol Hill still draws customers on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012. The neighborhood saw its first few inches of snow Sunday afternoon, with more showers expected on Monday. Photo: LINDSEY WASSON Image 22 of 44 A pedestrian walks on Lake City Way as snow falls on Sunday, January 15, 2012 in north Seattle. The accumulation of the white stuff made driving hazardous on the slippery roads. A pedestrian walks on Lake City Way as snow falls on Sunday, January 15, 2012 in north Seattle. The accumulation of the white stuff made driving hazardous on the slippery roads. Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO Image 23 of 44 Brittany Doyle and Stuart Haury turn the Jimi Hendrix statue on Broadway Ave. into a snowman in Seattle on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012. Brittany Doyle and Stuart Haury turn the Jimi Hendrix statue on Broadway Ave. into a snowman in Seattle on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012. Photo: JOE DYER Image 24 of 44 A South Lake Union Streetcar is shown after being involved in an accident that pushed it off it's tracks. (Photo used with permission.) A South Lake Union Streetcar is shown after being involved in an accident that pushed it off it's tracks. (Photo used with permission.) Photo: RYAN HEALY Image 25 of 44 Jann Curley plays tug with her dog Berkeley, a Labradoodle, at Cal Anderson Park in Capitol Hill on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012. The neighborhood saw its first few inches of snow Sunday afternoon, with more showers expected on Monday. Jann Curley plays tug with her dog Berkeley, a Labradoodle, at Cal Anderson Park in Capitol Hill on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012. The neighborhood saw its first few inches of snow Sunday afternoon, with more showers ... more Photo: LINDSEY WASSON Image 26 of 44 A car is adorned with a smile in the snow on Capitol Hill on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012. The neighborhood saw its first few inches of snow Sunday afternoon, with more showers expected on Monday. A car is adorned with a smile in the snow on Capitol Hill on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012. The neighborhood saw its first few inches of snow Sunday afternoon, with more showers expected on Monday. Photo: LINDSEY WASSON Image 27 of 44 People walk on Lake City Way as snow falls on Sunday, January 15, 2012 in north Seattle. The accumulation of the white stuff made driving hazardous on the slippery roads. People walk on Lake City Way as snow falls on Sunday, January 15, 2012 in north Seattle. The accumulation of the white stuff made driving hazardous on the slippery roads. Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO Image 28 of 44 Mary Farewell, 8, uses a broom to gather snow for a giant snowball on her street in Seattle on Saturday, January 14, 2012. (Click the larger button above for a better view of the images) Mary Farewell, 8, uses a broom to gather snow for a giant snowball on her street in Seattle on Saturday, January 14, 2012. (Click the larger button above for a better view of the images) Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO Image 29 of 44 Donnie Campbell, 8, catches snowflakes as Seattle gets its first dusting of the winter on Saturday, January 14, 2012 in north Seattle. Donnie Campbell, 8, catches snowflakes as Seattle gets its first dusting of the winter on Saturday, January 14, 2012 in north Seattle. Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO Image 30 of 44 Maia, Araya and Ravenna jump on a trampoline as snow falls in Seattle on Saturday, January 13, 2012. Maia, Araya and Ravenna jump on a trampoline as snow falls in Seattle on Saturday, January 13, 2012. Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO Image 31 of 44 A pedestrian makes her way along NE 125th Street in Seattle on Saturday, January 14, 2012 during a dusting of snow. A pedestrian makes her way along NE 125th Street in Seattle on Saturday, January 14, 2012 during a dusting of snow. Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO Image 32 of 44 Jayden Campbell, 12, uses a broom to gather snow for a giant snowball in front of his house in Seattle on Saturday, January 14, 2012. Jayden Campbell, 12, uses a broom to gather snow for a giant snowball in front of his house in Seattle on Saturday, January 14, 2012. Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO Image 33 of 44 Kira Campbell, 4, takes a taste of snow as the white stuff falls on Saturday, January 14, 2012 in north Seattle. Kira Campbell, 4, takes a taste of snow as the white stuff falls on Saturday, January 14, 2012 in north Seattle. Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO Image 34 of 44 Footsteps break through a light dusting of snow near Cal Anderson Park in Capitol Hill on Sunday morning, Jan. 15, 2012. The neighborhood saw its first few inches of snow Sunday afternoon, with more showers expected on Monday. Footsteps break through a light dusting of snow near Cal Anderson Park in Capitol Hill on Sunday morning, Jan. 15, 2012. The neighborhood saw its first few inches of snow Sunday afternoon, with more showers ... more Photo: LINDSEY WASSON Image 35 of 44 A woman in a parking garage overseeing Harvard and Pine St. points out at the snow on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012. The neighborhood saw its first few inches of snow Sunday afternoon, with more showers expected on Monday. A woman in a parking garage overseeing Harvard and Pine St. points out at the snow on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012. The neighborhood saw its first few inches of snow Sunday afternoon, with more showers expected on ... more Photo: LINDSEY WASSON Image 36 of 44 Molly Canwell, 5, plays with her mother, Darcy Dixon, in the playground at Cal Anderson Park in Capitol Hill on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012. The neighborhood saw its first few inches of snow Sunday afternoon, with more showers expected on Monday. Molly Canwell, 5, plays with her mother, Darcy Dixon, in the playground at Cal Anderson Park in Capitol Hill on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012. The neighborhood saw its first few inches of snow Sunday afternoon, with ... more Photo: LINDSEY WASSON Image 37 of 44 Molly Canwell, 5, readies a snowball as she plays at Cal Anderson Park in Capitol Hill on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012. The neighborhood saw its first few inches of snow Sunday afternoon, with more showers expected on Monday. Molly Canwell, 5, readies a snowball as she plays at Cal Anderson Park in Capitol Hill on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012. The neighborhood saw its first few inches of snow Sunday afternoon, with more showers expected on ... more Photo: LINDSEY WASSON Image 38 of 44 A punk-rock styled snowman sits in Cal Anderson Park on Capitol Hill on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012. (Photo by Lindsey Wasson). A punk-rock styled snowman sits in Cal Anderson Park on Capitol Hill on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012. (Photo by Lindsey Wasson). Photo: LINDSEY WASSON Image 39 of 44 Destiny Jones, left, attempts to deflect an incoming snowball thrown by Jayce Lemmer, right, at Cal Anderson Park on Capitol Hill on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012. (Photo by Lindsey Wasson). Destiny Jones, left, attempts to deflect an incoming snowball thrown by Jayce Lemmer, right, at Cal Anderson Park on Capitol Hill on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012. (Photo by Lindsey Wasson). Photo: LINDSEY WASSON Image 40 of 44 Brittany Doyle and Stuart Haury turn the Jimi Hendrix statue on Broadway Ave. into a snowman in Seattle on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012. (Photo by Lindsey Wasson). Brittany Doyle and Stuart Haury turn the Jimi Hendrix statue on Broadway Ave. into a snowman in Seattle on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012. (Photo by Lindsey Wasson). Photo: LINDSEY WASSON Image 41 of 44 Snowy sneakers hang on a telephone line on Harvard Ave. and Denny Way in Seattle on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012. Snowy sneakers hang on a telephone line on Harvard Ave. and Denny Way in Seattle on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012. Photo: JOE DYER Image 42 of 44 Snowmen smile at motorists along James St. in Seattle on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012. Snowmen smile at motorists along James St. in Seattle on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012. Photo: JOE DYER Image 43 of 44 A motorist ignores the road closed sign on Denny way and Olive Ave. in Seattle on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012. A motorist ignores the road closed sign on Denny way and Olive Ave. in Seattle on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012. Photo: JOE DYER Image 44 of 44 Major snowstorm expected this week 1 / 44 Back to Gallery 
 
 Get ready for the big one. 
 
 Before the morning commute Wednesday, Seattle is expected to get heavy snow, forecasters said Tuesday morning. 
 
 Expect 5 to 10 inches of new snow by Wednesday night. There could also be a few more snow showers Tuesday -- perhaps an inch or two. 
 
 Tuesday morning, the shadow of the Olympics was protecting the Seattle area from much new snow. Forecasters expect little snow in the central Sound on Tuesday. 
 
 But a convergence zone could set up in northern King County and Snohomish County, bringing heavier snow there. 
 
 The Washington Transportation Department said most highways in the Seattle area were bare and wet Tuesday morning. 
 
 But mountain driving was dangerous. Snoqualmie Pass was scheduled to close at 7 a.m. for avalanche control. It could be closed for four hours or more. 
 
 Traction tires are required on Stevens, Blewett and White passes. 
 
 Buses with King County Metro are on snow routes Tuesday. Check here for more information. 
 
 Wednesday's snow will eventually turn to rain, but forecasters with the National Weather Service said Tuesday that that the change to rain may not occur until Thursday. 
 
 Here is the scenario: A strong warm front from the southwest will blow in from the Pacific. That will draw down cold air from British Columbia. 
 
 Southwest Washington and the central Washington coast can expect to see snow by midnight Tuesday. There is also the chance of an ice storm from Olympia southward. 
 
 In Seattle, the snow will begin to fall before the morning rush hour. 
 
 The National Weather Service posted a winter storm warning for the Seattle area from midnight Tuesday to midnight Wednesday, predicting up to 10 inches of snow. 
 
 Southwest Washington could get up to 14 inches, and up to 3 1/2 feet could fall in the Cascades. 
 
 Whatcom County will likely get the least amount of snow. 
 
 Temperatures in Seattle on Tuesday should reach 35 degrees. They may not get above freezing on Wednesday. It may not be until Friday that temperatures reach into the 40s. 
 
 The storm also has the potential to wreak the same kind of havoc caused by the destructive December 1996 storm. That storm delivered about 2 feet of snow followed by heavy rains over a few days, causing massive landslides and rooftop collapses. The wet snow sank covered moorings at the Edmonds marina, damaging about 400 boats. 
 
 The same conditions were ripe for Wednesday's storm. 
 
 "The biggest snowstorm in years," wrote University of Washington meteorologist Cliff Mass on his blog. 
 
 The weather caused Seattle Public Schools to take precautions and announce that school would start two hours late Tuesday morning. "Buses will be operating on snow routes tomorrow, which means that yellow buses only run on roads maintained by the City that receive snow removal," district officials said in the announcement. 
 
 Ted Buehner, a warning coordination meteorologist for the National Weather Service, said the storm will be a "widespread snow event" unlike the hit-and-miss snow showers over the weekend. 
 
 "We're basically saying, 'Stay tuned,' because this is a pretty dynamic situation that could have a lot of very adverse, hazardous winter conditions," Buehner said. 
 
 On Tuesday, another 1 to 3 inches of snow was predicted in Seattle, with another arctic front making its way through the region. 
 
 Cliff Mass: 'Biggest snowstorm in years' 
 
 
 
 After a lull Tuesday afternoon, the major storm was expected to start late Tuesday night in the south and move northeast across Western Washington throughout the day Wednesday. 
 
 Meteorologist Cliff Mass called the storm a "serious threat" of 8 to 15 inches of snow over the region, "with a minimal (turnover) to rain." 
 
 "The biggest snowstorm in years," Mass wrote on his blog Monday. 
 
 "Anyway, before anyone goes out and buys a snowblower, lets see what tonight's runs show," he wrote. 
 
 "If they continue this trend, then Slushmageddon might be replaced by Snowmageddon. In almost any conceivable case, Wednesday morning is going to be very problematic for travel...I suspect there will be a lot of school cancellations and the like." 
 
 The snow was expected to turn to rain Wednesday night or Thursday, when the high temperature will warm to 46 degrees. Fallen snow will absorb rain like "a sponge," Buehner said, bringing hazards to trees, rooftops and hillsides. 
 
 "Slushmageddon" is how Mass had described it Sunday. 
 
 "A vision that should scare any mayor," Mass wrote on his blog. "And one I am sure will put a smile on the face of KING-TV's Jim Forman." 
 
 Links 
 
 For more information, go here: 
 
 National Weather Service in Seattle 
 
 Metro 
 
 Mountain passes 
 
 Washington Department of Transportation weather 
 
 http://www.schoolreport.org (For school closures) 
 
 Visit seattlepi.com's home page for more Seattle news. Contact Vanessa Ho at 206-448-8003 or vanessaho@seattlepi.com, and follow her on Twitter as @vanessaho. 

 A major winter storm was headed for the Pacific Northwest on Tuesday night and into Wednesday, with the Seattle area expecting up to a foot of snow and mountain passes two to four feet. 
 
 Local media and bloggers covered the forecasts and preparations throughout the day, while some schools canceled classes both Tuesday and Wednesday. 
 
 "With the possibility of significant snowfall, we are urging residents to be prepared," Mayor Mike McGinn said in a statement. 
 
 The Seattle Times initially described it as a "megastorm" in its print edition but then revised it to "Less snow in the forecast? It's 'evolving'" on its website later in the day. 
 
 Chris Dolce, a meteorologist with weather.com, wrote that travel could become "dangerous or impossible" by Tuesday night in areas including Seattle, Olympia, Bellingham as well as Portland, Ore. 
 
 The National Weather Service was forecasting 1-2 inches of snow Tuesday in the Seattle area, and then 5-10 inches on Wednesday. Areas farther south of Seattle could see two inches on Tuesday and up to 14 inches on Wednesday, it added. 
 
 "Keep in mind, average annual snowfall is only 2.4 inches in Portland and 5.9 inches in Seattle, so these amounts are very significant for these metro areas," Dolce added. "According to the National Weather Service in Seattle, Wash., snow amounts from this storm could exceed anything seen since November 1985 at Sea-Tac airport." 
 
 The Seattle area saw several inches of snow over the weekend, and then a lull on Monday and overnight into Tuesday morning for most of the region. 
 
 Dolce said that "several feet of snow" was expected to pile up in the Cascade and Bitterroot mountains. 
 
 Interstate 90 at Snoqualmie Pass in the Cascades east of Seattle was shut down for much of Tuesday for avalanche control. 
 
 PhotoBlog: Snowy in Seattle — winter storm snarls traffic 
 
 According to Dolce's forecast, snow was likely to spread well inland across the interior Northwest into the Northern Rockies. Spokane, Wash., Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, Kalispell, Mont. and Missoula, Mont., will all deal with substantial amounts of snow and rough travel conditions, weather.com reported. 
 
 Late Monday, a lost 66-year-old snowshoer was rescued after spending two freezing nights on Mount Rainier near Seattle. 

 Major Winter Storm Headed for Northwest 
 
 front-week-ahead 
 
 Updated: January 17, 2011 2:00 pm ET 
 
 Video: Snow in the Northwest causes wrecks, but makes kids happy 
 
 Major Winter Storm from Pacific Northwest to the Northern Rockies 
 
 
 
 How Much Snow? 
 
 
 
 48-hour snow forecast for the Northwest. Snow total forecast ranges plotted for select cities. 
 
 Stormy Pattern Continues and Shifts into California 
 
 
 
 Rain and mountain snow shift farther south late week into the weekend. 
 
 Since Sunday, snow showers have been falling off and on across the lower elevations of the Pacific Northwest. This wintry pattern will be capped off by aLate Tuesday night through Wednesday, a strong low-pressure system with copious amounts of moisture will approach the Northwest coast. This will set the stage for a major winter storm across the lower elevations and mountains of the Pacific Northwest.in the cities listed below, just to name a few.Snow from this storm will spread well inland across the interior Northwest into the Northern Rockies. Spokane, Wash. Kalispell, Mont. and Missoula, Mont. will all deal with substantial amounts of snow and rough travel conditions.As usual, the big question is always: How much snow am I going to see??? Below is our snow forecast map for the Northwest region the next 48 hours. You can find specific snow forecast total ranges plotted below some of the cities on the graphic. As you can see, we are forecasting some rather hefty amounts across western Washington (including Seattle).One caveat to this forecast.with how quickly the snow may eventually change to rain on Wednesday. This is particularly the case the farther south you go along the I-5 corridor (i.e. Portland/Vancouver). Snow should change to rain in Portland on Wednesday morning.Keep in mind, averagesnowfall is only 2.4" in Portland and 5.9" in Seattle, so these amounts are very significant for these metro areas! According to the National Weather Service in Seattle, Wash., snow amounts from this stormat Sea-Tac airport.In the mountains (Cascades and Bitterroots), we expectThe unsettled pattern will continue through late week and into the weekend across the Northwest. It appears the cold air will eventually get scoured out over the lower elevations of the Northwest, leading to a more typical lower elevation rain and mountain snow pattern later Thursday into Friday.In addition, the threat of rain and mountain snow will shift farther south into the northern half of California. Eventually some rain could make into Southern California. See the forecast day-by-day using the links below.This active pattern will provide a much needed replenishment of the western snowpack, especially the snow-starved Sierra Nevada near the California/Nevada border. Get your skis and snowboards ready!This should also begin to put a dent in the drought worries for at least parts of California, currently plaguing roughly half the state, per the latest Drought Monitor from NOAA, the USDA, and the National Drought Mitigation Center. Fortunately, California's reservoir levels are still high from a wet winter/spring 2010-2011, so, there are no long-term water supply worries just yet.
– A major snowstorm is expected to hit Seattle tonight, dumping as much as a foot by tomorrow evening. And it looks like things will get worse: Weather.com is predicting up to 18 inches in parts of the Seattle area within 48 hours; MSNBC notes that is three times the city's average annual snowfall of 5.9 inches. Other sections of Washington could see even more—and as much as 3.5 feet could hit the Cascades. In Portland, where the average annual snowfall is 2.4 inches, up to 8 inches of snow are expected. One meteorologist predicts it will be "the biggest snowstorm in years," and another warns of "very adverse, hazardous winter conditions." Mountain driving has already turned dangerous, and other travel could become "dangerous or impossible," says another meteorologist. The Seattle Post-Intelligencer notes that conditions are similar to a highly destructive 1996 storm that caused landslides when the snow turned to rain, as this snow may do tomorrow or Thursday. MSNBC adds that this could be the biggest Seattle snowstorm since 1985.