Most Cascade Mountain old timers (yes, Clay and Jack this means you) when they hear Puget Sound Convergence Zone they immediately think of huge snow in the mountains. Why? The Puget Sound Convergence Zone is a phenomenon that occurs over Puget Sound. It is formed when the large-scale air flow splits around the Olympic Mountains and then converges over Puget Sound. This zone generally occurs between north Seattle and Everett and can cause updrafts and convection, which leads to a narrow band of precipitation. The air, and its moisture, is then accelerated up the Hwy 2 corridor or up the I-90 corridor. Text book mountain orographics take over from there.
Which Pass gets the goods depends on how the prevailing winds hit the Olympics. If the surface winds (between sea level and 4-5000’) hit the Olympics directly from the west, the convergence zone will be over Everett. This sets up Stevens just perfectly. If the wind hits the Olympics from the NW then Snoqualmie gets the goods.
This approaching storm has good PS Convergent qualities to enhance mountain orographics at Stevens Pass. Look at the forecasted wind direction along the coast tonight. Being pushed directly out of the west by a cold front. - a good recipe for heavy snow. My only concern is the wind speed - the higher the wind speed the further east the higher accumulations. Mainly my house-not ready to start plowing just yet.
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