Weather: Mild air, rain could doom midelevation snowpack
The snow-challenged winter sports season in the mountains is going to continue with a series of mild Pacific rainstorms expected through this weekend.
Snow levels could rise into the upper elevations today and higher over the weekend, the National Weather Service said.
Forecasters said the mild air and rain could doom much of the midelevation snowpack across the region.
Strong winds accompanying the storms could aggravate the meltdown, they said.
“One of the effects of strong southwest winds is like aiming a hair dryer on a snowman and will be sad news for what is left of the midslope snowpack,” one Spokane forecaster wrote in the Wednesday morning weather discussion.
As a result, the weather service is predicting small streams and rivers will see much higher flows. Localized flooding is possible. Forecasters are cautioning the public to be careful.
Snow levels will start out at the 5,000-foot range today, rising to 6,500 feet or higher over the weekend.
As many as four storm waves could cross the region through Monday. All have moist air masses known as “atmospheric rivers” that are poised to migrate northward from the subtropics of the Pacific along the outer edge of a strong low pressure area off the West Coast.
High temperatures in Spokane will go from the middle 40s today to the lower 50s on Friday and Saturday. In the mountains, temperatures should be in the lower 40s.
Strong gusty winds could develop behind an anticipated weather front on Saturday with sustained winds in excess of 20 to 30 mph. A wind advisory could be posted as Saturday approaches.
The snowpack in the Spokane and upper Columbia regions in Washington is running about 50 to 60 percent of normal based on the snow water equivalent within the snowpack.
Mt. Spokane ski area had a foot of snow at the lodge Wednesday following some new snow accumulations over the past week. The summit depth was 45 inches.
North Idaho is faring slightly better with snowpacks in the 60- to 75-percent range.