Feb 29, 2012; 2:21 PM ET
Feet of snow will plaster the high country of northern California and Oregon. (Photos.com image)
A moisture-rich and cold storm will plow across the West into Thursday. The storm will bring up to several feet of snow in the northern Sierra Nevada and the southern Oregon Cascades.
While somewhat lesser amounts will fall at pass levels, on the order of a foot or two, the snow will fall at a fast and furious pace and has the potential to close passes, affecting portions of I-80 in California and Nevada and I-5 in California and Oregon.
According to Western Weather Expert Ken Clark, "Snow levels will dip to around 500 feet in the hills around Seattle and Portland, trending to near 3,000 in the central Sierra Nevada."
This means snow will mix in around these elevations with accumulations trending upward above this level throughout the Olympics, Cascades and northern and central Sierra Nevada.
The snow will be powdery in nature in the mountains, subject to a great amount of blowing and drifting by strong winds surpassing hurricane force. Whiteout conditions are likely at times.
What poses difficulties for travelers will be a boost for the ski industry and water interests. Unlike last winter, storms have been scarce.
A cold, drenching rain will fall along the coast of northern California to Washington.
Along portions of the Oregon and northern California coasts, south of Portland and north of Santa Rosa, enough rain can fall in a short period of time to lead to flash and urban flooding as well as landslides and damage to some roads.
While much less rain will fall over the Sacramento Valley, any non-destructive rainfall will be welcomed.
No significant precipitation is forecast for Southern California and the deserts with this storm, unlike the system to start this week.
However, heavy snow will progress eastward through the Wasatch and various ranges over the central and northern Rockies into Thursday.
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