"Will the snowpack be back?"

This week's Seattle Weekly has a cover story about whether our snow pack will be back:

www.seattleweekly.com/home/961344-129/will-the-snowpack-be-back

And even more interesting weather about to hit us:

www.flickr.com/photos/nordique/22399530710/

Snoqualmie Pass forecast:

SUNDAY NIGHT...RAIN AND SNOW SHOWERS. RAINFALL AMOUNTS A HALF INCH TO ONE INCH POSSIBLE. POSSIBLE HEAVY SNOWFALL AMOUNTS ABOVE THE SNOW LEVEL AROUND 4000 FEET. SOUTHWEST WIND IN THE PASSES 10 TO 15 MPH. GUSTS TO 25 MPH IN THE EVENING.

MONDAY...MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF RAIN AND SNOW SHOWERS. SNOW LEVEL NEAR 4000 FEET.

MONDAY NIGHT...MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF RAIN AND SNOW SHOWERS. SNOW LEVEL NEAR 4000 FEET.

TUESDAY...MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF RAIN AND SNOW SHOWERS. SNOW LEVEL NEAR 3500 FEET.

TUESDAY NIGHT...PARTLY CLOUDY. FREEZING LEVEL NEAR 4500 FEET.

WEDNESDAY...SUNNY. FREEZING LEVEL NEAR 4500 FEET.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT...PARTLY CLOUDY. FREEZING LEVEL NEAR 4500 FEET.

THURSDAY...PARTLY SUNNY. FREEZING LEVEL NEAR 4500 FEET.

THURSDAY NIGHT...MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF RAIN AND SNOW. SNOW LEVEL NEAR 4000 FEET.

Speaking of snow pack:

Mount Rainier National Park News Release October 30, 2015 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Randy King, Superintendent, 360-569-6501

MOUNT RAINIER PREPARES FOR SIGNIFICANT WEATHER EVENT
Superintendent Randy King advises that Mount Rainier National Park has begun preparations for a significant weather event that is expected this weekend. Visitor access will be impacted and evacuations could become necessary.

Current weather models are predicting 12”-15” of rain to fall in the park over the next 48 hours, with snow at higher elevations. This event is expected to produce high precipitation and high winds throughout the park. All park rivers are expected to reach near flood stage, with potential for debris flows associated with glaciers. Power outages may also occur throughout the park and emergency services may be significantly delayed. Travel in the park is discouraged until the storm passes.

As result of the storm event, the following emergency closures are in effect (no driving, biking or hiking) until further notice:

 Westside Road
 Sunrise and White River Campground Roads, closed at the junction with SR410.
 Carbon River Trail, entrance to Ipsut Creek
 Mowich Lake Road, beyond the Paul Peak vehicle barricade

The timing of these emergency closures coincides with the last few days of planned operations for some roads, so effectively this storm will end seasonal driving access to Mowich Lake and the Sunrise/White River Road. Other park roads or areas may be closed as conditions warrant during or following the storm.

For their safety, visitors are asked to respect any closure signs, barriers or staff directions as it relates to park access this weekend. Backcountry camping permits will not be issued through the weekend and camping in vehicles is not permitted in the park. Updates on road conditions and restrictions can be obtained by calling the park at 360-569-2211 for recorded information or subscribing to the park’s Twitter feed at twitter.com/MountRainierNPS. Information is also available through the park’s official website www.nps.gov/mora and Facebook at facebook.com/MountRainierNPS. Mount Rainier webcams can also be viewed at the main park website.

This morning's forecast discussion:

MOUNTAIN SNOW LEVELS WILL FALL TO AROUND 4500 FEET LATE TONIGHT INTO SUNDAY THEN TO AROUND 4000 FEET SUNDAY NIGHT INTO MONDAY. STRONG ONSHORE FLOW WILL CONTINUE THROUGH SUNDAY OR SUNDAY NIGHT AS SNOW LEVELS FALL...SO WILL CONTINUE THE WINTER STORM WATCH FOR THE MOUNTAINS LATE TONIGHT THROUGH EARLY MONDAY. A WARNING MAY BE ISSUED FOR THIS TIME FRAME IN THE MOUNTAINS WITH THE AFTERNOON PACKAGE.

Nope sell your gear and learn to surf.

Nope sell your gear and learn to surf.

LD, how's the surfing going?