Heavy Snow in East Slopes Northern Cascades, Washington

A CO-OP observer station in Stehekin recorded 5.0 inches of new snow accumulation.

In addition to an occluded front's evening arrival in Washington, there were many factors that brought light to moderate snowfall to Eastern Washington and the Idaho Panhandle on Christmas night into December 26th. Significant precipitable water and a surface low's colder air provided conditions for snow and rain/snow mixes across the region. Only 1-2 inches fell in most low lands, but into the Spokane area and eastern North Cascade slopes up to 4-7 inches of snow was recorded.

The road conditions began to deteriorate when the started snow falling that evening, which led to a minimum of 33 crashes in the Spokane area. In addition to slippery roadways from snow, highway troopers responded crashes due to heavy, freezing fog slick roadways across eastern Washington.