Weather Forecast - 12/10: Monster Storm Forecasted for the Northwest and West

What's Going on Now? It's a pretty big deal, actually. We now have some good news on the snow front. The storm door is finally predicted to open on Friday. The first Winter Storm Watches of this system are now being issued for the Cascades. A Winter Storm Watch means that moderate to heavy snow accumulations that will likely impact travel on roads and by air is forecasted to begin within the next 48 hours. The Cascade Watch calls for one to two feet of snow in the mountains, including the passes

UPDATE: Winter Storm Watch has just been posted for Eastern Washington and North Idaho. 8 to 12 inches are expected for the valleys around Spokane and Coeur d'Alene. 12 to 18 inches are now called for in the mountains. That's down from 18 to 30 inches earlier today. Of course, as with all forecasting, meteorology is not an exact science. The Special Weather Statement that is still in effect still calls for 18-30 inches.

What Will Be Going On Soon? Expect the first watches for Eastern Washington and North Idaho to be issued within the next few hours. Snow will begin flying Friday morning in the Inland Northwest and slightly earlier in the Cascades.

What Does This Mean for Schweitzer? A possible opening date could be projected by later this afternoon, conditions permitting. If that day is Friday, expect only Musical Chairs to be open and reduced lift ticket prices. There is a possibility that they will be able to open more terrain as conditions allow throughout the day on Saturday and on Sunday. Perhaps that includes Midway (on man-made or partially man-made snow) and the Basin Express. Other possibilities include Lakeview Triple (with only Ridge Run open) and the Quad (with only Gypsy, Ridge, Great Divide, and Down the Hatch open). Who knows? Evidently, management at the mountain. We'll see how much snow they get and what ends up happening.

What Does This Mean for Me? It means snow - and lots of it. Up to 12 inches Friday through Saturday in most valleys. Drifting snow will be a problem with strong winds out of the north. Then for early next week we get an arctic blast with negative single digit lows and single digit highs - and the wind will still be strong. That boils down to sub-zero wind chills in the -20s to -10s and on the higher ridgetops and mountain locations that could mean -40s to -30s at times. Bundle up if you're headed out for opening weekend and week.