Which Volcano Holds the Most Glacial Ice in the Pacific Northwest? Before we get into the core of this topic, let us quickly cover some glacier science — because understanding what makes a glacier tick is essential to appreciating why Mt. Rainier’s glacial system is so extraordinary. What Is a Glacier and How Does It Form? A glacier is a large body of densely compacted snow and ice that accumulates over […] Brains Matthew Oliphant | June 8, 2026 12 Comments
SnowBrains Forecast: Massive Storm Brewing for the Pacific Northwest This Weekend A classic fall pattern lines up for the Pacific Northwest with a warm, wet push late this week, a colder weekend drop in snow levels, and lingering light snow into early next week. The most impressive totals favor the North Cascades and Southwestern British Columbia, while Oregon’s high volcanoes do well but contend with wind and initially higher snow levels […] Weather WeatherBrains | October 20, 2025 0 Comments
NOAA April 2025 Outlook: Pacific Northwest, Northern Rockies, and Northeast Expect Above-Normal Snowfall, While Southwest Faces Drought The NOAA just released its outlook for April 2025. While winter is ending, big snow is not unheard of in April. Let’s see what the NOAA claims are in store next month. Fingers crossed! TL;DR: Temperatures: Above normal in the Southwest, Central Rockies, and Eastern Seaboard; cooler in central Alaska. Precipitation: Above normal in the Pacific Northwest and Northern Rockies; below […] Weather WeatherBrains | March 21, 2025 0 Comments
NASA: Atmospheric River Flows into the Pacific Northwest A powerful atmospheric river streamed toward the U.S. Pacific Northwest in early December 2023. The long current of water vapor delivered warm, wet weather to much of western Washington and Oregon, toppling daily rainfall and temperature records and escalating flood and debris flow risks. Related: Atmospheric Rivers: How They Work, and How El Niño and La Niña Affect Them This […] Weather SnowBrains | December 6, 2023 0 Comments
The Top 5 Chairlifts in the Pacific Northwest The Pacific Northwest of the USA is very likely the snowiest region on Earth. The average annual snowfall in Oregon and Washington is ridiculous and Mt. Baker ski resort still holds the world record for the most snowfall in a single season at 1,140 inches of snow. Knowing this, you’re going to want to optimize your skiing and riding experience in the Pacific Northwest to make sure you ride as much of that snow as you possibly can. To do […] SnowBrains | June 6, 2022 12 Comments
[VIDEO] North of Now – Sammy Carlson Explores the Nooks, Crannies, Pillow Lines, and Sheer, Open Faces of the Pacific Northwest The Black For Sammy Carlson, momentum is the constant. Whether on land or in the ocean, skiing or surfing, he finds an ebb and flow in tune with the turns he makes. For years, Sammy has been setting the pace with his innate combination of power and fluidity, and in his latest video project, North of Now, his undisputed, explosive […] SnowBrains | December 13, 2021 0 Comments
NOAA: Preliminary Analysis Concludes Pacific Northwest Heatwave Was a 1,000-Year Event… Hopefully This post first appeared on climate.gov and was written by Rebecca Lindsey An international team of weather and climate experts known as the “World Weather Attribution” project has analyzed the late June heatwave in the U.S. Pacific Northwest and come to a preliminary conclusion that the event was a roughly 1-in-1,000-year event in today’s climate. (The results are preliminary because, […] WeatherBrains | July 21, 2021 0 Comments
Death Toll Rises In Pacific Northwest Heatwave Since Monday, an unprecedented heatwave has torched regions across the northwestern United States and western Canada. The prolonged “heat dome” has been linked to hundreds of deaths and numerous wildfire breakouts. Earlier this week, Environment Canada issued a weather warning about the upcoming heatwave. “This record-breaking heat event will increase the potential for heat-related illnesses and increase the risk of […] Hannah | July 2, 2021 0 Comments
Astounding Heatwave Obliterates All-Time Records Across the Pacific Northwest and Western Canada in June 2021 One of, if not the, worst heatwave in the region’s modern records impacted the Pacific Northwest of the United States and western Canada during late June 2021, not just breaking records but smashing them over an incredibly hot four-day period. And unlike the heatwave across the Southwest United States in mid-June, this time the dangerous heat was felt across a […] Weather WeatherBrains | July 1, 2021 0 Comments
NASA: “Historic and Dangerous” Heatwave Hits Pacific Northwest Extraordinary heat events occur around the planet during most summers, but the current heatwave in the Pacific Northwest is truly exceptional. In June 2021, all-time temperature records fell in multiple cities in the U.S. and Canada during a heatwave that the National Weather Service called “historic and dangerous.” Related: Pacific Northwest Heatwave Threatens Summer Skiing The heat began to build […] WeatherBrains | June 29, 2021 0 Comments
Pacific Northwest Heatwave Threatens Summer Skiing Updated Monday, June 28, 2021 at 8:27 PM PST. Breaking news: Timberline was fully closed on Monday, June 28, 2021 due to “snow surface conditions, wind and heat”, according to their Instagram and Conditions pages. Tomorrow, Tuesday June 29, the Palmer park will not be opened as the Parks crew needs to rebuild many of the features with the […] Weather Katy McClintic | June 28, 2021 0 Comments
NOAA April 2021 Outlook: Warmth Expected for Much of the Contiguous US… Except Pacific Northwest This post first appeared on climate.gov and was written by Tom Di Liberto Spring across the United States is prime weather-whiplash season. One day it could be sunny and 75° F. The next, it might be snowing. But on a monthly timescale, what is favored for April 2021? The April 2021 outlook from NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center predicts a tilt […] Weather WeatherBrains | April 5, 2021 0 Comments
Pacific Northwest 2020-2021 Season Closing Dates As the end of March is before us, it is time to start thinking about spring skiing in the Pacific Northwest, and depending on where you are, you may have only a week or so to cram in those final ski days this season. But don’t worry, if you know where to look, you maybe be skiing into the summer […] Industry News Liam Abbott | March 30, 2021 2 Comments
SnowBrains Forecast: 1-3 Feet of Snow For The Pacific Northwest Through Sunday Forecast By SnowBrains Meteorologist – Eric McNamee 11:20 AM MST, 2/17/2021 Forecast Summary: A couple of shortwave troughs will make their way through the Pacific Northwest by Sunday, bringing 1-3 FEET of snow along the Cascades. The shortwave trough currently in place will bring some light amount to the region. The first of the two shortwaves will move into the […] Weather Eric McNamee | February 17, 2021 0 Comments
SnowBrains Forecast: 2-8″of Snow For The Pacific Northwest Through Sunday Forecast By SnowBrains Meteorologist – Eric McNamee 1:10 PM MST, Jan. 7, 2021 Forecast Summary: A couple of weak storms will make their way through the Pacific Northwest by Sunday, bringing 2-8″ of snow along the Cascades. The Oregon Cascades look like they will see the most snow through Sunday. By next week, a strong ridge of high pressure will […] Weather Eric McNamee | January 7, 2021 2 Comments
Early December Snow Forecast Analysis: Deep Pre-Christmas Patterns for Pacific Northwest, Average for Intermountain West I analyzed several forecasts and compiled my predictions for the first few weeks of December rolling into Christmas. These next couple of weeks are crucial for building a good snowpack base for the rest of the season. This is the third installment in my snow forecast analysis series for the winter, where I do two videos per month giving snowfall forecast […] Weather Clay Malott | December 2, 2020 0 Comments
2-5 FEET of Snow Forecasted for Western US Over Next 7 Days, Primarily in the Pacific Northwest Forecast By SnowBrains Meteorologist – Eric McNamee 4:20 PM MST, Nov. 16, 2020 Forecast Summary: A series of storms will bring 2-5 FEET of snow over the western US this week, primarily in the Pacific NW. A longwave troughing pattern will remain in place over the US west coast, streaming moisture into the region. The highest amounts of snow […] Weather Eric McNamee | November 16, 2020 0 Comments
NOAA Posts 2020-2021 La Niña Watch | Snowfall Totals Expected to be Above Average in Pacific Northwest, Drier for Intermountain West The NOAA released a La Niña watch on Thursday, July 9. The NOAA is currently giving a 50-55% chance of a La Niña pattern developing in the fall and lasting through winter, though those numbers are certainly subject to change. La Niña systems generally indicate colder equatorial ocean temperatures, which forces the jet stream further north, delivering above-average precipitation to […] Weather Clay Malott | July 14, 2020 0 Comments
The 7 Highest Ski Resorts in the Pacific Northwest The Pacific Northwest is a region full of lush forests, coastal beaches, and snowy mountains. This article defines the Pacific Northwest as the U.S. states of Oregon and Washington. A large part of the PNW is dominated by the Cascade Range which is scattered with several ski resorts. Some of the snowiest resorts in North America are located in this […] Industry News Taliana Potts | October 10, 2019 3 Comments
Top 9 Snowiest Ski Resorts in the Pacific Northwest The Pacific Northwest of the United States of America is the snowiest place in North America. It may be the snowiest place in the world. The two states making up the bulk of the Pacific Northwest, Oregon & Washington, have very few ski resorts that receive under 400 inches of snow annually & Mt. Baker has the world record for annual snowfall at 1,100 inches of snow. The Pacific Northwest is the king of snowfall, yet it continues to fly […] SnowBrains | October 5, 2019 16 Comments
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