Winter Storm Watch 3, NWS Spokane, WA

128 
WWUS46 KOTX 280246
WSWOTX

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SPOKANE WA
646 PM PST FRI JAN 27 2012

...HEAVY SNOW LIKELY FOR THE IDAHO PANHANDLE MOUNTAINS SATURDAY
NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY AFTERNOON...

.A FETCH OF SUBTROPICAL MOISTURE COMBINED WITH PERSISTENT
UPSLOPING FLOW AIMED INTO THE IDAHO PANHANDLE WILL RESULT IN
HEAVY MOUNTAIN SNOW ACCUMULATIONS. THE HEAVIEST SNOW
ACCUMULATIONS WILL OCCUR AT OR ABOVE 3000 FEET.

IDZ001-004-281500-
/O.CON.KOTX.WS.A.0003.120129T0800Z-120130T1800Z/
NORTHERN PANHANDLE-CENTRAL PANHANDLE MOUNTAINS-
INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS...EASTPORT...
SCHWEITZER MOUNTAIN ROAD...OSBURN...WALLACE...MULLAN...
DOBSON PASS...LOOKOUT PASS
646 PM PST FRI JAN 27 2012

...WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM LATE SATURDAY NIGHT
THROUGH MONDAY MORNING ABOVE 3000 FEET...

A WINTER STORM WATCH ABOVE 3000 FEET REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM LATE
SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY MORNING. 

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: SNOW ACCUMULATIONS...12 TO 24 INCHES WITH 
  LOCAL AMOUNTS AROUND 30 INCHES. 

* ELEVATION: ABOVE 3000 FEET.

* TIMING: SNOW WILL BEGIN SATURDAY NIGHT AND PERSIST THROUGH 
  LATEMONDAY MORNING. 

* LOCATIONS INCLUDE: EASTPORT...SCHWEITZER MOUNTAIN ROAD... 
  OSBURN...WALLACE...MULLAN...DOBSON PASS...LOOKOUT PASS

* WINDS: SOUTHWEST WINDS 15 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH 
  ALONG EXPOSED RIDGETOPS.

* IMPACTS: MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW ACCUMULATIONS WILL MAKE 
  TRAVEL TREACHEROUS ACROSS MOUNTAIN PASSES. GUSTY WINDS WILL 
  LEAD TO BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW. HEAVY SNOW ACCUMULATIONS 
  MAY LEAD TO SMALL TREE LIMBS BREAKING.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT
SNOW ACCUMULATIONS THAT MAY IMPACT TRAVEL. CONTINUE TO MONITOR
THE LATEST FORECASTS.

&&

$$

980 
WWUS46 KOTX 281421 AAA
WSWOTX

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE...UPDATED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SPOKANE WA
621 AM PST SAT JAN 28 2012

...HEAVY SNOW LIKELY FOR THE IDAHO PANHANDLE MOUNTAINS SATURDAY
NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY AFTERNOON...

.A FETCH OF SUBTROPICAL MOISTURE COMBINED WITH PERSISTENT
UPSLOPING FLOW AIMED INTO THE IDAHO PANHANDLE WILL RESULT IN
HEAVY MOUNTAIN SNOW ACCUMULATIONS. THE HEAVIEST SNOW
ACCUMULATIONS WILL OCCUR ABOVE 3000 FEET.

IDZ001-004-282230-
/O.CON.KOTX.WS.A.0003.120129T0800Z-120130T1800Z/
NORTHERN PANHANDLE-CENTRAL PANHANDLE MOUNTAINS-
INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS...EASTPORT...
SCHWEITZER MOUNTAIN ROAD...OSBURN...WALLACE...MULLAN...
DOBSON PASS...LOOKOUT PASS
621 AM PST SAT JAN 28 2012

...WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH
MONDAY MORNING ABOVE 3000 FEET...

A WINTER STORM WATCH ABOVE 3000 FEET REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM LATE
TONIGHT THROUGH MONDAY MORNING. 

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: 12 TO 24 INCHES WHICH INCLUDES ALL PASSES
  EXCEPT FOURTH OF JULY PASS ALONG INTERSTATE 90. THE HIGHEST
  ELEVATIONS ABOVE THE PASSES...WHICH INCLUDES SKI RESORTS...MAY
  SEE LOCAL AMOUNTS UP TO 30 INCHES ON THE UPPER PEAKS.

* ELEVATION: ABOVE 3000 FEET.

* TIMING: SNOW WILL BEGIN SATURDAY NIGHT AND PERSIST THROUGH 
  LATE MONDAY MORNING.

* LOCATIONS INCLUDE: EASTPORT...SCHWEITZER MOUNTAIN ROAD... 
  OSBURN...WALLACE...MULLAN...DOBSON PASS...LOOKOUT PASS

* WINDS: SOUTHWEST WINDS 15 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH 
  ALONG EXPOSED RIDGETOPS.

* IMPACTS: MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW ACCUMULATIONS WILL MAKE 
  TRAVEL TREACHEROUS ACROSS MOUNTAIN PASSES. GUSTY WINDS WILL 
  LEAD TO BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW. HEAVY SNOW ACCUMULATIONS 
  MAY LEAD TO SMALL TREE LIMBS BREAKING.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT
SNOW ACCUMULATIONS THAT MAY IMPACT TRAVEL. CONTINUE TO MONITOR
THE LATEST FORECASTS.

&&

$$

272 
WWUS46 KOTX 282149
WSWOTX

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SPOKANE WA
149 PM PST SAT JAN 28 2012

...HEAVY SNOW LIKELY FOR THE IDAHO PANHANDLE MOUNTAINS. THE
HEAVIEST SNOW NOW LOOKS TO IMPACT THE AREA SUNDAY EVENING
THROUGH MONDAY AFTERNOON WITH ONLY LIGHT ACCUMULATIONS DURING THE
DAY SUNDAY...

.A FETCH OF SUBTROPICAL MOISTURE COMBINED WITH PERSISTENT
UPSLOPING FLOW AIMED INTO THE IDAHO PANHANDLE WILL RESULT IN
HEAVY MOUNTAIN SNOW ACCUMULATIONS. THE HEAVIEST SNOW
ACCUMULATIONS WILL OCCUR ABOVE 3000 FEET. 

IDZ001-004-290900-
/O.EXT.KOTX.WS.A.0003.120129T2100Z-120131T0000Z/
NORTHERN PANHANDLE-CENTRAL PANHANDLE MOUNTAINS-
INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS...EASTPORT...
SCHWEITZER MOUNTAIN ROAD...OSBURN...WALLACE...MULLAN...
DOBSON PASS...LOOKOUT PASS
149 PM PST SAT JAN 28 2012

...WINTER STORM WATCH NOW IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH
MONDAY AFTERNOON ABOVE 3000 FEET...

THE WINTER STORM WATCH ABOVE 3000 FEET IS NOW IN EFFECT FROM
SUNDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH MONDAY AFTERNOON. 

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: 2 TO 4 INCHES WILL BE POSSIBLE DURING THE
  DAY SUNDAY. SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY...12 TO 18 INCHES WHICH
  INCLUDES ALL PASSES EXCEPT FOURTH OF JULY PASS ALONG INTERSTATE
  90. THE HIGHEST ELEVATIONS ABOVE THE PASSES...WHICH INCLUDES SKI
  RESORTS...MAY SEE LOCAL AMOUNTS UP TO 24 INCHES ON THE UPPER
  PEAKS.

* ELEVATION: SNOW LEVELS NEAR 3000 FEET...RISING NEAR 4000 FEET
  SUNDAY NIGHT...THEN LOWERING NEAR 3000 FEET MONDAY.

* TIMING: LIGHT SNOW WILL BE POSSIBLE THROUGHOUT THE DAY SUNDAY
  WITH MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW DEVELOPING SUNDAY NIGHT AND PERSISTING
  THROUGH MONDAY AFTERNOON.

* LOCATIONS INCLUDE: EASTPORT...SCHWEITZER MOUNTAIN ROAD... 
  OSBURN...WALLACE...MULLAN...DOBSON PASS...LOOKOUT PASS

* WINDS: SOUTHWEST WINDS 15 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH
  ALONG EXPOSED RIDGETOPS.

* IMPACTS: MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW ACCUMULATIONS WILL MAKE 
  TRAVEL TREACHEROUS ACROSS MOUNTAIN PASSES. GUSTY WINDS WILL 
  LEAD TO BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW. HEAVY SNOW ACCUMULATIONS 
  MAY LEAD TO SMALL TREE LIMBS BREAKING.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT
SNOW ACCUMULATIONS THAT MAY IMPACT TRAVEL. CONTINUE TO MONITOR
THE LATEST FORECASTS.

&&

$$

763 
WWUS46 KOTX 290708 AAA
WSWOTX

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE...UPDATED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SPOKANE WA
1108 PM PST SAT JAN 28 2012

...HEAVY SNOW LIKELY FOR THE IDAHO PANHANDLE MOUNTAINS. THE
HEAVIEST SNOW NOW LOOKS TO IMPACT THE AREA SUNDAY EVENING THROUGH
MONDAY AFTERNOON WITH ONLY LIGHT ACCUMULATIONS DURING THE DAY
SUNDAY...

.A FETCH OF SUBTROPICAL MOISTURE COMBINED WITH PERSISTENT
UPSLOPING FLOW AIMED INTO THE IDAHO PANHANDLE WILL RESULT IN
HEAVY MOUNTAIN SNOW ACCUMULATIONS. THE HEAVIEST SNOW
ACCUMULATIONS WILL OCCUR ABOVE 3000 FEET.

WAZ041-042-291515-
/O.NEW.KOTX.WW.Y.0008.120129T0708Z-120129T1800Z/
WENATCHEE AREA-EAST SLOPES NORTHERN CASCADES-
INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS...WENATCHEE...CHELAN...ENTIAT...
CASHMERE...LEAVENWORTH...MAZAMA...TWISP...WINTHROP...STEHEKIN...
CONCONULLY...BLEWETT PASS...LOUP LOUP PASS
1108 PM PST SAT JAN 28 2012

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM PST SUNDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN SPOKANE HAS ISSUED A WINTER
WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW AND FREEZING RAIN...WHICH IS IN EFFECT
UNTIL 10 AM PST SUNDAY.

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: 3 TO 5 INCHES LIMITED TO ELEVATIONS ABOVE
  2000 FEET IN THE EAST SLOPES OF THE CASCADES MAINLY NORTH OF
  LAKE CHELAN AND NEAR THE CASCADE CREST.

* ELEVATION: 2000 FEET FOR SNOW ACCUMULATIONS IN THE CASCADES. ALL
  ELEVATIONS FOR THE FREEZING RAIN THREAT...WITH THE HIGHEST
  PROBABILITY NORTH OF ENTIAT.  

* TIMING: THE FREEZING RAIN THREAT WILL SLOWLY DECLINE OR REMAIN
  STEADY INTO LATE MORNING OR MIDDAY SUNDAY. THE SNOW THREAT WILL
  LAST ALL DAY FOR THE EAST SLOPES OF THE CASCADES MENTIONED
  ABOVE. 

* LOCATIONS INCLUDE: CHELAN...ENTIAT...CASHMERE...MAZAMA...TWISP...
  WINTHROP...STEHEKIN...CONCONULLY...LOUP LOUP PASS

* WINDS: WIND GUSTS UP TO 45 MPH ON MOUNTAIN RIDGES. 

* IMPACTS: SLIPPER ROADS...ESPECIALLY WHERE FREEZING RAIN HAS
  FALLEN...AND INCLUDES HIGHWAY 97 NORTH OF WENATCHEE AS WELL AS
  HIGHWAY 20 THROUGH THE METHOW VALLEY.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW OR FREEZING
RAIN WILL CAUSE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SLIPPERY
ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE DRIVING.

&&

$$

IDZ001-004-291515-
/O.CON.KOTX.WS.A.0003.120129T2100Z-120131T0000Z/
NORTHERN PANHANDLE-CENTRAL PANHANDLE MOUNTAINS-
INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS...EASTPORT...
SCHWEITZER MOUNTAIN ROAD...OSBURN...WALLACE...MULLAN...
DOBSON PASS...LOOKOUT PASS
1108 PM PST SAT JAN 28 2012

...WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY AFTERNOON
THROUGH MONDAY AFTERNOON ABOVE 3000 FEET...

A WINTER STORM WATCH ABOVE 3000 FEET REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM
SUNDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH MONDAY AFTERNOON. 

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: 2 TO 4 INCHES WILL BE POSSIBLE OVERNIGHT AND
  DURING THE DAY SUNDAY. SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY...12 TO 18
  INCHES WHICH INCLUDES ALL PASSES EXCEPT FOURTH OF JULY PASS
  ALONG INTERSTATE 90. THE HIGHEST ELEVATIONS ABOVE THE PASSES...
  WHICH INCLUDES SKI RESORTS...MAY SEE LOCAL AMOUNTS UP TO 24
  INCHES ON THE UPPER PEAKS. IN THE VALLEYS NORTH OF SANDPOINT
  NEAR THE CANADIAN BORDER EXPECT 1 TO 3 INCHES OF SNOW WILL FALL
  INTO MIDDAY SUNDAY.  

* ELEVATION: ABOVE 3000 FEET FOR THE HEAVIEST SNOWS. 

* TIMING: SNOW WILL BE POSSIBLE THROUGHOUT THE DAY SUNDAY WITH
  MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW DEVELOPING SUNDAY NIGHT AND PERSISTING
  THROUGH MONDAY AFTERNOON.

* LOCATIONS INCLUDE: EASTPORT...SCHWEITZER MOUNTAIN ROAD...
  OSBURN...WALLACE...MULLAN...DOBSON PASS...LOOKOUT PASS 

* WINDS: SOUTHWEST WINDS 15 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH 
  ALONG EXPOSED RIDGETOPS.

* IMPACTS: MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW ACCUMULATIONS WILL MAKE 
  TRAVEL TREACHEROUS ACROSS MOUNTAIN PASSES. GUSTY WINDS WILL 
  LEAD TO BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW. HEAVY SNOW ACCUMULATIONS 
  MAY LEAD TO SMALL TREE LIMBS BREAKING.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT
SNOW ACCUMULATIONS THAT MAY IMPACT TRAVEL. CONTINUE TO MONITOR
THE LATEST FORECASTS.

&&

$$

112 
WWUS46 KOTX 291425
WSWOTX

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SPOKANE WA
625 AM PST SUN JAN 29 2012

...HEAVY SNOW LIKELY FOR THE IDAHO PANHANDLE MOUNTAINS. THE
HEAVIEST SNOW NOW LOOKS TO IMPACT THE AREA TONIGHT THROUGH MONDAY
AFTERNOON WITH ONLY LIGHT ACCUMULATIONS TODAY...

...FOR THE EAST SLOPES OF THE CASCADES...THE MAIN IMPACT WEATHER IS
NOW FREEZING RAIN AND EMBEDDED POCKETS OF SLEET AS THE SNOW LEVEL
HAS RISEN CONSIDERABLY THIS MORNING...

.A FETCH OF SUBTROPICAL MOISTURE COMBINED WITH PERSISTENT
UPSLOPING FLOW AIMED INTO THE IDAHO PANHANDLE WILL RESULT IN
HEAVY MOUNTAIN SNOW ACCUMULATIONS. THE HEAVIEST SNOW
ACCUMULATIONS WILL OCCUR ABOVE 3000 FEET.

WAZ042-291800-
/O.CAN.KOTX.WW.Y.0008.000000T0000Z-120129T1800Z/
/O.NEW.KOTX.ZR.Y.0002.120129T1425Z-120129T1800Z/
EAST SLOPES NORTHERN CASCADES-
INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS...LEAVENWORTH...MAZAMA...
TWISP...WINTHROP...STEHEKIN...CONCONULLY...BLEWETT PASS...
LOUP LOUP PASS
625 AM PST SUN JAN 29 2012

...FREEZING RAIN ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM PST THIS MORNING
BELOW 3500 FEET...
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS CANCELLED...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN SPOKANE HAS ISSUED A FREEZING
RAIN ADVISORY BELOW 3500 FEET...WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM
PST THIS MORNING. THE WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY HAS BEEN CANCELLED.

* ICE ACCUMULATIONS: UP TO ONE QUARTER INCH OF ICE. SLEET MAY BE
  MIXED WITH THE FREEZING RAIN AT TIMES. ANY ADDITIONAL SNOW
  ACCUMULATIONS WILL BE LIMITED 2 TO 4 INCHES ABOVE 4500 FEET THIS
  MORNING. 

* ELEVATION: ICING BELOW 3500 FEET.

* TIMING: THE FREEZING RAIN THREAT WILL SLOWLY DECLINE OR REMAIN
  STEADY INTO MID MORNING. SNOW SHOWERS WILL INCREASE NEAR THE
  CASCADE CREST LATER TODAY WITH ACCUMULATIONS OF 3 TO 5 INCHES
  ABOVE 3500 FEET BY TONIGHT. 

* LOCATIONS INCLUDE: LEAVENWORTH...MAZAMA...TWISP...WINTHROP...
  STEHEKIN...CONCONULLY...BLEWETT PASS...LOUP LOUP PASS 

* WINDS: WIND GUSTS UP TO 45 MPH ON MOUNTAIN RIDGES.

* IMPACTS: VERY SLIPPER TREACHEROUS ROADS ARE CERTAIN...AND
  INCLUDES HIGHWAY 2 WEST OF WENATCHEE TO LEAVENWORTH AND
  PLAIN...AS WELL AS HIGHWAY 20 THROUGH THE METHOW VALLEY. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A FREEZING RAIN ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF FREEZING RAIN OR
FREEZING DRIZZLE WILL CAUSE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR
SLIPPERY ROADS. SLOW DOWN AND USE CAUTION WHILE DRIVING.

&&

$$

WAZ041-291530-
/O.CAN.KOTX.WW.Y.0008.000000T0000Z-120129T1800Z/
WENATCHEE AREA-
INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS...WENATCHEE...CHELAN...ENTIAT...
CASHMERE
625 AM PST SUN JAN 29 2012

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS CANCELLED...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN SPOKANE HAS CANCELLED THE WINTER
WEATHER ADVISORY. 

THE MAIN IMPACT WEATHER IS NOW FREEZING RAIN AND EMBEDDED POCKETS
OF SLEET AS THE SNOW LEVEL HAS RISEN CONSIDERABLY ACROSS THE EAST
SLOPES OF THE CASCADES THIS MORNING.

$$

IDZ001-004-292230-
/O.EXT.KOTX.WS.A.0003.120130T0000Z-120131T0000Z/
NORTHERN PANHANDLE-CENTRAL PANHANDLE MOUNTAINS-
INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS...EASTPORT...
SCHWEITZER MOUNTAIN ROAD...OSBURN...WALLACE...MULLAN...
DOBSON PASS...LOOKOUT PASS
625 AM PST SUN JAN 29 2012

...WINTER STORM WATCH NOW IN EFFECT FROM 4 PM PST THIS AFTERNOON
THROUGH MONDAY AFTERNOON ABOVE 3000 FEET...

THE WINTER STORM WATCH ABOVE 3000 FEET IS NOW IN EFFECT FROM 4 PM
PST THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH MONDAY AFTERNOON. 

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: 2 TO 4 INCHES WILL BE POSSIBLE OVERNIGHT 
  AND DURING THE DAY SUNDAY. SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY...12 TO 
  18 INCHES WHICH INCLUDES ALL PASSES EXCEPT FOURTH OF JULY PASS 
  ALONG INTERSTATE 90. THE HIGHEST ELEVATIONS ABOVE THE PASSES...
   WHICH INCLUDES SKI RESORTS...MAY SEE LOCAL AMOUNTS UP TO 24 
  INCHES ON THE UPPER PEAKS. IN THE VALLEYS NORTH OF SANDPOINT 
  NEAR THE CANADIAN BORDER EXPECT 1 TO 3 INCHES OF SNOW WILL 
  FALL INTO MIDDAY SUNDAY. 

* ELEVATION: ABOVE 3000 FEET.

* TIMING: SNOW WILL BE POSSIBLE THROUGHOUT TODAY WITH MODERATE TO
  HEAVY SNOW DEVELOPING TONIGHT AND PERSISTING THROUGH MONDAY
  AFTERNOON.

* LOCATIONS INCLUDE: EASTPORT...SCHWEITZER MOUNTAIN ROAD...
  OSBURN...WALLACE...MULLAN...DOBSON PASS...LOOKOUT PASS 

* WINDS: SOUTHWEST WINDS 15 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH 
  ALONG EXPOSED RIDGETOPS.

* IMPACTS: MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW ACCUMULATIONS WILL MAKE 
  TRAVEL TREACHEROUS ACROSS MOUNTAIN PASSES. GUSTY WINDS WILL 
  LEAD TO BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW. HEAVY SNOW ACCUMULATIONS 
  MAY LEAD TO SMALL TREE LIMBS BREAKING.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT
SNOW ACCUMULATIONS THAT MAY IMPACT TRAVEL. CONTINUE TO MONITOR
THE LATEST FORECASTS.

&&

$$

159 
WWUS46 KOTX 291746
WSWOTX

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SPOKANE WA
946 AM PST SUN JAN 29 2012

...HEAVY SNOW LIKELY FOR THE IDAHO PANHANDLE MOUNTAINS. THE
HEAVIEST SNOW WILL IMPACT THE AREA TONIGHT THROUGH MONDAY
AFTERNOON WITH ONLY LIGHT ACCUMULATIONS SUNDAY...

...FOR THE EAST SLOPES OF THE CASCADES...THE MAIN IMPACT WEATHER
WILL BE FREEZING RAIN MAINLY IN THE METHOW VALLEY...

.A FETCH OF SUBTROPICAL MOISTURE COMBINED WITH PERSISTENT
UPSLOPING FLOW AIMED INTO THE REGION WILL RESULT IN HEAVY
MOUNTAIN SNOW ACCUMULATIONS FOR IDAHO AND AREAS OF FREEZING RAIN
IN THE CASCADE EAST SLOPES. THE HEAVIEST SNOW ACCUMULATIONS WILL 
OCCUR ABOVE 3000 FEET.

IDZ001-300200-
/O.UPG.KOTX.WS.A.0003.120130T0000Z-120131T0000Z/
/O.NEW.KOTX.WS.W.0004.120130T0000Z-120131T0000Z/
NORTHERN PANHANDLE-
INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS...EASTPORT...
SCHWEITZER MOUNTAIN ROAD
946 AM PST SUN JAN 29 2012

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 4 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO
4 PM PST MONDAY ABOVE 3000 FEET...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN SPOKANE HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM
WARNING ABOVE 3000 FEET FOR HEAVY SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM
4 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 4 PM PST MONDAY. THE WINTER STORM WATCH IS
NO LONGER IN EFFECT.

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: 1 TO 4 INCHES WILL BE POSSIBLE SUNDAY.
  SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY...12 TO 18 INCHES.

* ELEVATION: SNOW LEVELS WILL START OFF NEAR 3500 FEET AND LOWER
  NEAR TO SLIGHTLY BELOW 3000 FEET EARLY MONDAY.

* TIMING: LIGHT SNOW WILL BE POSSIBLE THROUGHOUT TODAY WITH
  MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW DEVELOPING TONIGHT AND PERSISTING THROUGH
  MONDAY AFTERNOON.

* LOCATIONS INCLUDE: SCHWEITZER MOUNTAIN ROAD.

* WINDS: SOUTHWEST WINDS 15 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH 
  ALONG EXPOSED RIDGETOPS.

* IMPACTS: MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW ACCUMULATIONS WILL MAKE TRAVEL
  TREACHEROUS ACROSS MOUNTAIN PASSES. GUSTY WINDS WILL LEAD TO
  BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW ALONG EXPOSED RIDGETOPS. HEAVY SNOW
  ACCUMULATIONS MAY LEAD TO SMALL TREE LIMBS BREAKING.


PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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.

&&

$$

IDZ004-300200-
/O.UPG.KOTX.WS.A.0003.120130T0000Z-120131T0000Z/
/O.NEW.KOTX.WS.W.0004.120130T0000Z-120131T0000Z/
CENTRAL PANHANDLE MOUNTAINS-
INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS...OSBURN...WALLACE...MULLAN...
DOBSON PASS...LOOKOUT PASS
946 AM PST SUN JAN 29 2012

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 4 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO
4 PM PST MONDAY ABOVE 3500 FEET...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN SPOKANE HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM
WARNING ABOVE 3500 FEET FOR HEAVY SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM
4 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 4 PM PST MONDAY. THE WINTER STORM WATCH IS
NO LONGER IN EFFECT.

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: 1 TO 4 INCHES WILL BE POSSIBLE DURING THE
  DAY SUNDAY. SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY...12 TO 18 INCHES WHICH
  INCLUDES ALL PASSES EXCEPT FOURTH OF JULY PASS ALONG INTERSTATE
  90. THE HIGHEST ELEVATIONS ABOVE THE PASSES... WHICH INCLUDES
  SKI RESORTS...MAY SEE LOCAL AMOUNTS UP TO 24 INCHES ON THE UPPER
  PEAKS. 

* ELEVATION: SNOW LEVELS WILL BE 4000 FEET SUNDAY...LOWERING TO
  3500 FEET EARLY MONDAY MORNING.

* TIMING: LIGHT SNOW WILL BE POSSIBLE TODAY WITH MODERATE TO HEAVY
  SNOW DEVELOPING TONIGHT AND PERSISTING THROUGH MONDAY AFTERNOON.

* LOCATIONS INCLUDE: OSBURN...WALLACE...MULLAN...LOOKOUT PASS

* WINDS: SOUTHWEST WINDS 15 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH 
  ALONG EXPOSED RIDGETOPS.

* IMPACTS: MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW ACCUMULATIONS WILL MAKE TRAVEL
  TREACHEROUS ACROSS MOUNTAIN PASSES. GUSTY WINDS WILL LEAD TO
  BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW ALONG EXPOSED RIDGETOPS. HEAVY SNOW
  ACCUMULATIONS MAY LEAD TO SMALL TREE LIMBS BREAKING.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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.

&&

$$

WAZ042-300000-
/O.EXT.KOTX.ZR.Y.0002.000000T0000Z-120130T0000Z/
EAST SLOPES NORTHERN CASCADES-
INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS...MAZAMA...TWISP...WINTHROP...
LOUP LOUP PASS
946 AM PST SUN JAN 29 2012

...FREEZING RAIN ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM PST THIS
AFTERNOON BELOW 4000 FEET...

THE FREEZING RAIN ADVISORY BELOW 4000 FEET IS NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL
4 PM PST THIS AFTERNOON. 

* ICE ACCUMULATIONS: UP TO TENTH OF AN INCH OF ADDITIONAL ICE IS
  POSSIBLE.

* ELEVATION: ICING BELOW 3500 FEET.

* TIMING: THE FREEZING RAIN THREAT WILL SLOWLY INCREASE THIS
  MORNING AND AFTERNOON AS ADDITIONAL PRECIPITATION CROSSES THE
  CASCADES.

* LOCATIONS INCLUDE: MAZAMA...TWISP...WINTHROP...LOUP LOUP PASS

* IMPACTS: VERY SLIPPERY AND TREACHEROUS ROADS ARE CERTAIN...A
  QUARTER INCH OF ICE HAS ALREADY FALLEN IN THE WINTHROP AREA.
  TRAVEL ALONG HIGHWAY 20 THROUGH THE METHOW VALLEY WILL BE HIGHLY 
  IMPACTED.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A FREEZING RAIN ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF FREEZING RAIN OR
FREEZING DRIZZLE WILL CAUSE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR
SLIPPERY ROADS. SLOW DOWN AND USE CAUTION WHILE DRIVING.

&&

$$

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SPOKANE WA
234 PM PST Fri Jan 27 2012

.SYNOPSIS...Relatively dry northwest flow will remain over the
region through the first half of the weekend. This flow pattern
will bring cooler than normal temperatures but no significant
chance of precipitation. Wetter and snowier weather will return by
Sunday...with weak storms expected to impact the Inland Northwest
through much of next week.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Tonight through Saturday...Pacific satellite loop indicates a
ridge pattern forming over the region this afternoon. A
significant amount upper level moisture is cresting the top of
this ridge. Latest models are in decent agreement reflecting this
flow regime...and concur as far as bringing the ridge axis over
the forecast area through the next 24 hours...albeit with
increasing moisture aloft as well. Thus...there is a high
confidence that the next 24 hours will be essentially dry...with
light winds radiating outward from a surface high pressure
centered over Idaho tonight and tomorrow. The incoming moisture
fields will bring considerable high clouds starting tonight
and through Saturday as a pair of weak upper level warm fronts
allow some isentropic enhancement into thick cirrus and
altocumulus fields. These clouds will help inhibit radiational
cooling tonight...but the low level air mass is already cool and
dry which will likely lead to more frosty overnight lows by dawn
Saturday. The cloud cover will also probably allow fog and stratus
cover to be only spotty and patchy on Saturday morning. During
the day Saturday the moisture may get deep enough to promote a few
snow showers over the higher terrain north and east of the
basin...but otherwise a dry and quiet weather day is expected with
only weak sunshine heavily filtered through these thickening
clouds. /Fugazzi

Saturday night through Monday: The next Pacific storm system will
impact the Inland NW during the period bringing a combination of
heavy mountain snow, gusty winds, and mix of rain, snow, and
freezing rain to the valleys. Overall, confidence is generally
high on the upcoming wet period with the mountains of Idaho most
favored for heavy snow accumulations. As such, a winter storm
watch has been issued.

The main energy related to the storm system is evident via afternoon
water vapor approaching the 150W longitude. Weaker waves crossing
the northern Pacific will phase into this trough and ultimately
result in significant flattening of the ridge currently building
into the Pac NW. The fetch of 1.00-1.30" precipitable water ahead
of the trough will lay into the region. Meanwhile, weaker impulses
ejecting from the main midlevel trough and topping the remnants of
the ridge will create strong pressure falls over southern Alberta.
The most significant wave will cross southwestern Canada Saturday
night. This will bring the initial flattening of the ridge and
suppression of the moisture fetch from SW BC into the Inland NW.
The low-level pressure falls over southern Alberta at this time
will result in strengthening pressure gradients across the region
with W/SW 85H winds incr between 30-50kts. This flow regime is
very favorable for upsloping flow into the Idaho Panhandle and
combined with the rich moisture streaming into the region,
persistent moderate to heavy snow will impact the Idaho Panhandle
and portions of NE WA mainly above 3000 ft. Residence time of this
moisture over NE WA was not as long as IDZ001/004 so opted to
leave them out of the watch for now with mountain snow amounts
only expected to be upwards of 5-10 inches. These winds will
mainly be felt across exposed ridgetops as well as the Northern
Blue Mtns and adjacent foothills.

For the remaining lowlands, strong warm air advection combined with
advection of subtropical moisture will lead to rapid warming of
the low-level thermal fields and rising snow levels. Not only will
this mean rain as the dominate p-type (except the far northern
valleys near the Canadian Border) but brief freezing rain before
completely changing to all rain. The locations where the cooler
air typically remains trapped (lee of the Cascades) and most
stubborn is where pcpn amts will be very light due to the strong
westerly, shadowing component of the wind field and freezing rain
probabilities via the NAM/SREF appear significantly lower compared
to the event that took place on the 24th. Needless to say, models
typically struggle to resolve the details of freezing rain due to
the complex terrain and will issue a hazardous weather outlook to
address locations where the highest probabilities exist at this
time.

The main midlevel trough will track inland Sunday night.  Pcpn
processes will begin to transition from orographics to forcing
along a cold front with potential for some supporting midlevel
dynamics. Models continue to struggle on the strength of the
midlevel vorticity fields and what looked to brush the southern
zones, could now extend further north with the 18z guidance
leading to much stronger frontogenetical forcing. Again, the models
have been flip- flopping with these fields and confidence is
highest for extreme southern WA. As the front crosses the region
early Monday morning, and the trough settles in the region, winds
will begin to weaken and pcpn rates will decrease with the
potential for heavy mountain snow decreasing. Timing is still
somewhat in question with moderate pcpn potentially lingering into
late Monday afternoon. We will also be closely watching valley
winds Sunday night and Monday. As the cold front tracks through
Sunday night, the stable thermal profile will slowly become better
mixed leading to the best chance for breezy winds in the valleys
of southeastern WA and portions of the lower Idaho Panhandle with
gust potential of 35-50 mph before winds subside in the late
afternoon. /sb

Monday night through Friday: Models have some differing opinions
of waves moving through Monday night through Wednesday night. Did
a dProg/dt for Tuesday and Tuesday night, and it appears as if the
GFS has been way more consistent than the ECMWF. So, trended
forecast toward the GFS. The trough exits Monday night with a
shortwave ridge moving in. Showers will decrease through the
evening. Tuesday another wave moves through. But it shears and
falls apart as it moves across. Kept chance of precipitation for
eastern WA and north ID as well as the Cascades. Westerly flow
will shadow out the basin. Tuesday night an upper level ridge will
build along the west coast. Wednesday and Thursday the ridge axis
will move overhead. Friday it looks to shift east. But, this is
going off of the GFS, not the ECMWF which has slightly different
timing. They both agree on a very amplified ridge and have
therefore lowered chance of precipitation everywhere. Only have a
slight chance of showers in the mountains and have made the
valleys dry. With the ridge there are two scenarios that could pan
out. We could have low clouds and fog with temperatures hovering
around freezing and not varying much from day to night. Or we could
have mostly clear to clear skies with lows in the teens and lower
20s with high temps in the upper 30s to lower 40s. Went with the
more optimistic partly cloudy to mostly sunny forecast for Thur
and Fri. Did not put low temperatures so cold, as a warm front
looks to move up from the south, which could keep temps from
getting too cold. Daytime Temperatures will be at or slightly
above average for this time of the year. Low temps will be around
average Mon night and Tues night, then low temps increase to at or
slightly above average for the remainder of the extended as the
ridge and warm front move into the area. /Nisbet

&&

.AVIATION...
18Z TAFS: Upper level ridge and surface high pressure will likely promote
VFR conditions across Ern Wa and N Id through 18z Saturday. As the
surface pressure field becomes set overnight tonight with a
surface high centered over Idaho...there is a small chance of IFR
stratus briefly moving into the KGEG area TAF sites by 12z
Saturday...but the low level air mass is probably too dry to
support this scenario and with this low confidence...no mention
has been made in the TAFs. A weak upper level warm front will
increase high and possibly mid level clouds between 12z and 18z
Saturday...but ceilings will remain above 10kft MSL. /MJF

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Spokane        19  34  27  38  32  40 /   0   0  20  40  70  30
Coeur d'Alene  19  35  26  39  32  41 /   0   0  30  50  80  50
Pullman        23  38  29  42  33  43 /   0   0  20  60  80  60
Lewiston       25  40  32  46  37  48 /   0   0  10  40  80  50
Colville       12  35  24  37  32  39 /   0  10  50  50  60  30
Sandpoint      18  34  25  37  33  39 /  10  10  60  60  80  60
Kellogg        18  33  24  38  33  39 /   0  10  50  70  90  70
Moses Lake     15  33  23  38  32  41 /   0   0  10  30  30  10
Wenatchee      16  35  25  36  33  39 /   0   0  20  30  30  10
Omak           12  32  22  35  29  37 /   0   0  30  30  30  10

&&

.OTX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
ID...Winter Storm Watch from late Saturday night through Monday
     morning for Central Panhandle Mountains-Northern Panhandle.

WA...None.
&&

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SPOKANE WA
556 AM PST FRI JAN 27 2012

IDZ001>004-026-027-WAZ031>038-041>044-281400-
NORTHERN PANHANDLE-COEUR D'ALENE AREA-IDAHO PALOUSE-
CENTRAL PANHANDLE MOUNTAINS-LEWISTON AREA-
LEWIS AND SOUTHERN NEZ PERCE COUNTIES-NORTHEAST BLUE MOUNTAINS-
LOWER GARFIELD AND ASOTIN COUNTIES-WASHINGTON PALOUSE-
MOSES LAKE AREA-UPPER COLUMBIA BASIN-SPOKANE AREA-
NORTHEAST MOUNTAINS-OKANOGAN HIGHLANDS-WENATCHEE AREA-
EAST SLOPES NORTHERN CASCADES-OKANOGAN VALLEY-WATERVILLE PLATEAU-
556 AM PST FRI JAN 27 2012

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF NORTH IDAHO...
NORTH CENTRAL IDAHO...CENTRAL WASHINGTON...EAST CENTRAL
WASHINGTON...NORTH CENTRAL WASHINGTON...NORTHEAST WASHINGTON AND
SOUTHEAST WASHINGTON.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.