Community Corner

Weekend Outlook? Typically Iffy, With Snow Up High and Rivers Full Flow

The forecast calls for some showers in Western Washington, drier east of the mountains, with potentially risky avalanche conditions. Authorities are also urging caution around cold, fast rivers.

(This article was written by Patch Editor Greg Johnston.)

Ah, Memorial Day weekend in Western Washington! The forecast is typically iffy, avalanche danger could be high for outdoors adventurers in the mountains and authorities are cautioning that rivers will be swift, high and risky due to snowmelt.

Oh and by the way, you can’t get from here to Canada anymore on Interstate 5, the Skagit River bridge near Mount Vernon having plunged into the drink Thursday evening. We’re not even going to mention gas prices.

So pack your rain gear with the tent, campers, and stock up on good cheer and campfire wood -- at least fire danger is low. And the weather forecast is not all that bad.

Earlier this week King County officials urged recreationists to use caution around rivers and lakes, with Memorial Day weekend seen as the unofficial start to the outdoors season. Already this year one man drowned in the Stillaguamish River in Snohomish County, and a near drowning was reported in early May at Renton’s Gene Coulon Park.

Lake temperatures are cold in spring, and rivers high withe snowmelt.

“Rivers are beautiful, but dangerous. High, fast flows combined with the dynamic nature of river systems create potentially dangerous conditions,” Christie True, King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks director said in a press release. “Boaters, floaters, kayakers, rafters and other river users should check conditions and scout rivers thoroughly for hazards before getting on the water – and they should always wear a life jacket.”

Information about staying safe in and around the water can be found on Washington state web pages by clicking here.

Those hoping to head into the mountainous backcountry this weekend should be prepared for risky slide conditions. 

Two people were killed by avalanches earlier this year in the Snoqualmie Pass area, and on Wednesday the federal Northwest Avalanche Center (NWAC) issued a statement on potentially dangerous conditions this weekend.

“Potentially dangerous storm slab avalanche conditions should be expected in back country or uncontrolled areas especially in the central and south Cascades on varied aspects,” the statement said.

“We had a bunch of snow Wednesday and Thursday, especially in the south Cascades,” said Garth Ferber, a NWAC Avalanche Meteorologist. “Paradise (in Mount Rainier National Park) got 14 inches. At this time of year the snow is instantly reactive, even if the weather is cloudy. Conditions could stabilize this weekend, but anybody who decides to venture into the high country needs to be aware of wet snow.”

Ferber said the center would likely update its statement by Friday afternoon; check the link above for that.

The general National Weather Service forecast for Western Washington calls for a chance of showers or rain all weekend and mostly cloudy weather but somewhat warmer temperatures, with lows in the high 40s and highs in the 60s. The best day appears to be Sunday, with partly sunny weather and highs in the high 60s.

As usual, the outlook is much better east of the Cascade Range, with partly sunny skies most of the weekend, lows in the low 50s and highs in the low 70s.

There is at least one bonus from the cooler weather of late: Crystal Mountain ski area outside Enumclaw will be open Saturday through Monday, with fresh snow having fallen over the last few days.


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