Massive Snow Storm Set to Hit Seattle
A massive storm is set to pummel the Northwestern United States and could bring as much as 16 inches of snow to regions south of Seattle, Wash. over the next few days.
Forecasters are predicting that Seattle may face its worst snowstorm since 1986.
“The snow into Thursday could end up being one of Seattle’s biggest snowstorms on record,” senior meteorologist Alex Sosnowski wrote on Accuweather.com
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The storm is set to hit much of western Washington State including areas in and around Seattle. City officials have begun preparing for the worst by opening shelters and salting the streets. Mayor Mike McGinn released a statement "urging residents to be prepared" for the mega storm.
A winter storm warning will be in effect for residents of the Seattle area from 4 a.m. on Wednesday through 4 p.m. the following day, as it is predicted that up to three times the annual snowfall could fall on the typically rainy city.
“A winter storm warning for heavy snow means significant amounts of snow are expected or occurring. Snow accumulations will make travel very hazardous or impossible,” the National Weather Service wrote in a winter advisory.
The heaviest snow is expected to hit Seattle on Wednesday, with snow falling as fast as “an inch-per-hour” according to Sosnowski.
On Tuesday, light snow has already caused the Seattle Public School District to postpone classes for two hours on Tuesday. School officials plan to notify parents Tuesday evening if schools will be open on Wednesday.
Meteorologists are urging residents to stay home and avoid traveling in the terrible weather. Some even say travel may be impossible during the storm.
Rising temperatures will follow the heavy snowfall and weather analysts have expressed concerns that the snow followed by rain could result in deadly and destructive avalanches at the foot of the Cascade Mountains.
Large segments of Oregon have already been hit by the storm and have resulted in closed schools and havoc on the road.
Forecasters are predicting that after hitting Washington, the storm will move inland and drop snow onto the Northern Rockies, Idaho, and parts of Montana.
