Sunday, February 9, 2025

Winter storm brings snow, ice threat to North Central Washington

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WENATCHEE — The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for north-central Washington as a weather system threatens to bring a mix of snow and freezing rain to the region Tuesday and Wednesday.

Forecasters warn that portions of Chelan County, particularly the area from Leavenworth to Stevens Pass, could see ice accumulations between one-tenth and one-quarter inch as snow transitions to freezing rain Tuesday evening into early Wednesday morning.

The incoming system is expected to deliver light to moderate snow across north-central Washington and light snow in the northern mountain valleys before the transition occurs. The combination of snow and ice is likely to create hazardous travel conditions, especially along Highway 2.

"Snow will transition over to freezing rain Tuesday evening and night. Walking surfaces may become icy, and travel may be slippery. Small tree limbs may break with isolated power outages," the National Weather Service in Spokane reported in their Monday briefing.

The winter weather event will progress in three phases, beginning with snow accumulation, followed by a transition to freezing rain Tuesday evening, and concluding with breezy conditions Wednesday. Peak wind gusts in the Wenatchee area are forecast to reach 21 mph on Wednesday.

The highest probability of significant snowfall is concentrated in the Cascade region, where Wenatchee shows a 57% chance of receiving at least 4 inches of snow during the event. The risk of ice accumulation is particularly concentrated in the Stevens Pass area, where forecasters predict up to 0.25 inches of ice could accumulate.

The Winter Weather Advisory extends from Tuesday through Wednesday morning, with officials advising residents to prepare for winter driving conditions and reduced visibility at times.

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