After wetter-than-normal conditions in the Northwest for the start of 2020, drier conditions are on the way next week.
Following stormy weather over the weekend, which will spread snow into the Rockies for the start of the new week, the waves of wet weather will cease in the Northwest.
Some snow showers will linger early in the week across the highest elevations, although it will be noticeably drier by Tuesday.
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Even drier conditions are in store for the rest of the week.
“High pressure will settle over the northern Plains midweek, helping to deflect any wet weather across most of the western U.S.,” said AccuWeather Meteorologist Nicole LoBiondo.
A dip in the jet stream will allow cooler air from Canada to filter into much of the region.
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Near-normal temperatures are expected each afternoon, with Seattle reaching the lower 50s and Boise, Idaho in the lower 40s.
Below-freezing temperatures will hold across much of the Cascades as well as the northern Rockies.
According to NRCS, the recent storminess has brought enough snowfall across the higher elevations of the region to reach near- to above-normal levels for this time of year.
A question often asked during this time of year is how the mountain snow pack compares to average. The answer for most of the west is above average. Additional #snow this weekend in our forecast area will bump up those percentages. #wawx #orwx pic.twitter.com/pI7D0TKvjx
— NWS Pendleton (@NWSPendleton) February 15, 2020
“The snow is likely to stick around in the upcoming pattern, with near-normal temperatures just cool enough to retain the snowpack for skiers and snowboarders,” added LoBiondo.
The snow will also help with filling reservoirs and keeping water supplies where they need to be.
Any drastic warmup as the seasons change; however, could put the slopes at greater risk for avalanches into early spring.
Since the beginning of the year, wet weather has been the story across much of the northwestern U.S.
Seattle, through the first half of February, recorded 12.66 inches of precipitation, more than 170% of normal during that time frame.
Cities like Portland, Oregon; Spokane, Washington and Boise, Idaho also recorded over 120% of their normal precipitation through Feb. 14.
Although some wet weather continued through the second week in February, it was less persistent than December and January’s rain, allowing some rivers to recede back below-flood stage.
This trend is likely to continue with the forecasted dry weather will help to recede the water still-swollen rivers in the area.
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