snow

Seattleites to truck in snow for snowball fight record attempt

Gabriel Spitzer — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 13:00:00 +0000

A group of Seattle professionals are gearing up this week to try and break the Guinness World Record for the world’s largest snowball fight, and they’re doing it in a place where, typically, there is no snow: Seattle Center.

So how exactly do you get 162,000 pounds of snow into the shadow of the Space Needle? Organizer Neil Bergquist says, you just go to the mountains and get it.

A little drier weather ahead, and the most amazing snow

Keith Seinfeld — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 17:09:12 +0000

Snow in the Cascade mountains is the deepest in America these days, says KPLU weather expert Cliff Mass, and the weather pattern is likely to stay the same well into next week.

And, as for the dusting of snow, ice and sleet around portions of the Puget Sound lowlands, that should all melt off by this afternoon, says Mass, a professor of Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Washington.

Chillier and drier will bring white fluffy stuff to the passes

Keith Seinfeld — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 17:11:55 +0000

The weather pattern has shifted, and that means less rain, more chills, says Atmospheric Scientist Cliff Mass, of the University of Washington.

The pattern is giddy news for mountain ski areas, all of which should be open with light, fluffy snow this weekend, he says.

Don't worry, though, the snow should stay away from the Puget Sound lowlands, although the higher foothills may get a dusting tonight or Saturday morning.

Snowmageddon: Gregoire seeks federal money for January snowstorm

The Associated Press — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 19:43:51 +0000

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Gov. Chris Gregoire has asked President Barack Obama to declare a federal disaster area in 11 Washington counties for damages and costs suffered during January's snowstorm.

Last month's storm of snow, ice and freezing rain caused power outages, landslides, avalanches and fallen trees across Washington, creating $32.3 million in potential eligible damages, according to preliminary state and federal assessments.

Snow? Looking likely for Sunday, but only a dusting for most

Keith Seinfeld — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 16:51:24 +0000

That's the forecast as of Friday morning, from KPLU and UW weather expert Cliff Mass.

"I don't know if you'll wake up to it, but Sunday morning into Sunday, during the day there will be some snow showers," says Mass.

Snow? Probably yes, for most of western Washington

Keith Seinfeld — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 17:23:14 +0000

But not too much.

"It's not going to be the big snow-storm," says KPLU weather expert, and UW professor, Cliff Mass.

The areas most likely to get a couple inches of snow are the so-called "convergence zone," between north Seattle and Everett, and in the Bellingham area. For everyone else, Mass says it will be "hit and miss" depending on so many factors that it's hard to generalize.

Rocky Mountains have less snow more warmth

Emily Schwing — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 19:33:47 +0000

Idaho isn’t the only state in the west that’s been dry for more than a month. Most of the Rocky Mountain region is experiencing lower than normal snowfalls and higher than normal temperatures.

The general lack of winter forced the cancelation of Idaho’s State Special Olympics Winter Games. Boise’s local ski area, Bogus Basin, isn’t even open yet. In 69 years, Bogus Basin has never seen such a snowless season.

The sun is out, but it's cold ... what's happening?

KPLU News Staff — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 15:42:35 +0000

We're getting some beautiful sunrises and until we set our clocks back, we’re all up to see them!

Today and Saturday we’ll get some of those morning sprinkles, but the afternoons clear off with temperatures hitting around 50, and then starting on Saturday afternoon we get some “very interesting” weather for the Northwest, says KPLU’s weather expert Cliff Mass.

Avalanche, heavy snow close I-90 across Snoqualmie Pass for hours

The Associated Press and KPLU News Staff — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 02:09:52 +0000

Updated 9: 21 p.m.

Avalanche danger, heavy snowfall and spun-out vehicles have kept Interstate 90 over Snoqualmie Pass closed for hours as a winter storm buffets the Washington Cascades. Eastbound lanes reopened late this afternoon, and westbound lanes later Monday evening.

Transportation officials closed the pass late Monday morning due to eight inches of snow that had fallen since 6 a.m., plus poor visibility and spinouts.

We're comfortable driving in the snow? Really, Pemco?

KPLU News Staff — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 20:23:25 +0000

This statement might surprise you. It sure surprised us.

Pemco Insurance makes the claim, based on a survey it did of Washington drivers. Most polled (58%) say they feel 'comfortable' behind the wheel when driving on snowy roads.

Snow, freezing temperatures

Paula Wissel — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 16:02:35 +0000

The brunt of an arctic cold front is expected to hit Western Washington this afternoon, bringing wind and 2 to 6 inches of snow. National Weather Service meteorologist Art Gable says temperatures "will drop below freezing and remain below into Thursday morning." A winter storm warning remains in effect through 10 a.m. Thursday.

Various forecasts predict several inches of snowfall for region

KPLU News Staff — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 23:13:34 +0000

Several inches of snow are on the way to Puget Sound's lowlands. Exactly which areas will get the greatest accumulation is something forecasters say is tough to predict, but a number of sources say their models show anywhere from two to six inches in the Seattle area, and up to eight inches or more in Snohomish County and northward.

Snow turns to slush around western Washington

KPLU News Staff — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 16:34:52 +0000

Predicted snow fell across western Washington on Tuesday evening, largely sparing the evening commute. This morning people are waking up to rain, thick slush and closed or delayed schools.

A driver in Tukwila slid down a hill and onto the tracks of Sound Transit's Central Link light rail. The car landed on its roof. The driver received minor injuries, according to KING-TV. Those tracks were closed for a time, with service resuming before midnight.

Lowland snow forecast: less than earlier prediction

Keith Seinfeld and KPLU News Staff — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 01:39:19 +0000

Updated 3:58 p.m., Mon., Jan. 10th

The latest weather foreceast shows much less snow may fall than had been predicted, and warmer temperatures will bring rain and wind on Wednesday.

The National Weather Service office in Seattle has eased off forecasts of larger amounts of snow for western Washington, as the latest models show warm air pushing in faster than expected.

“We feel pretty confident the system will stay on the warmer side, and we will not see large amounts of snowfall” in the lowlands of western Washington, says Dennis D'Amico of the NWS Seattle office.

Homeowners resurrect ski season at Northwest resort

Tom Banse — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 15:42:55 +0000

Idaho’s Tamarack Resort is once again alive with skiers and snowboarders. But the happy scene didn’t come easy.

Tamarack is one of the most glaring casualties in the region from the bursting of the real estate bubble. Homeowners at the bankrupt resort are bootstrapping the once heralded ski area back into business.