Blizzard Warning Issued for Western Chelan County: Up to 4 Feet of Snow and 50 MPH Gusts Expected

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Spokane has issued a Blizzard Warning for Western Chelan County. This alert follows a Winter Storm Warning currently in effect for the region. The NWS classifies this as an extreme severity event with likely certainty.

Affected Areas

The warning specifically covers Western Chelan County, including the following locations:

• Holden Village
• Stevens Pass

Expected Conditions

Significant and hazardous winter conditions are forecast for the impact zone:

• Snow Accumulation: Total snow accumulations are expected to reach between 2 and 4 feet. During the initial Winter Storm Warning period, an additional 4 to 10 inches of snow is expected.
• Wind Speeds: Wind gusts are projected to peak around 50 mph on Wednesday evening and Wednesday night.
• Visibility: Falling and blowing snow may cause visibilities to drop below one-quarter mile.
• Impacts: Travel could be very difficult to impossible. Strong winds are also expected to cause tree damage during the peak of the storm on Wednesday.

Timeline

• Winter Storm Warning: Remains in effect until 5:00 AM PDT Tuesday, March 10.
• Blizzard Warning: In effect from 5:00 PM PDT Tuesday, March 10, until 5:00 AM PDT Thursday, March 12.

What You Should Do

Residents and travelers in the warning area should take immediate precautions:

• Travel Safety: If travel is absolutely necessary, drive with extreme caution and be prepared for sudden changes in visibility. Leave extra room between vehicles and avoid sudden braking or acceleration.
• Emergency Kit: If you must travel, keep a winter survival kit in your vehicle containing an extra flashlight, food, and water.
• If Stranded: If your vehicle becomes stranded, stay with the vehicle.
• Information Resources: Monitor the latest travel information for Washington state at https://wsdot.wa.gov/travel.