'Bomb cyclone' to bring heavy mountain snow to Montana

ISSAQUAH, Wash. (AP) — A major storm swept across the northwestern U.S., battering the region with strong winds and rain, causing widespread power outages and downing trees that killed at least two people.

The Weather Prediction Center issued excessive rainfall risks through Friday and hurricane-force wind warnings were in effect as the strongest atmospheric river — a large plume of moisture — that California and the Pacific Northwest has seen this season overwhelmed the region. The storm system that hit starting Tuesday is considered a " bomb cyclone," which occurs when a cyclone intensifies rapidly.

The onslaught of moisture reached Northwest Montana on Wednesday with light snowfall in valley locations creating a slick morning commute. 

"This steady stream of moisture is still anticipated to last through Saturday bringing significant precipitation totals to the majority of the Northern Rockies, especially along the Montana/Idaho border," the National Weather Service in Missoula stated in its Wednesday forecast discussion.

Snow was expected to transition to rain as snow levels rise. 

"North central Idaho into Northwest Montana are still expected to receive 1 to 3 inches of moisture during this event," the Weather Service added.

Montana mountain ranges are expected to pick up ample snowfall through the week. The summit of Big Mountain at Whitefish Mountain Resort is forecast to receive up to 2 feet of snow by Saturday, while the upper elections in Glacier National Park could see 3 feet of new snow.

In California, the weather service extended a flood watch into Saturday for areas north of San Francisco. Up to 16 inches of rain of rain was forecast in southwestern Oregon through Friday, and more than 10 inches in northern California and down into the central coast. Dangerous flash flooding, rock slides and debris flows were possible, officials warned.

A winter storm watch was in place for the northern Sierra Nevada above 3,500 feet where 15 inches of snow was possible over two days. Wind gusts could top 75 mph in mountain areas, forecasters said.

Heavy, wet snow was expected to continue along the Cascades and in parts of far northern California. Forecasters warned of blizzard and whiteout conditions and near impossible travel at pass level due to accumulation rates of 2 to 3 inches per hour and wind gusts of up to 65 mph.

Falling trees struck homes and littered roads across northwest Washington. In Lynnwood, Washington, a woman died Tuesday night when a large tree fell on a homeless encampment, South County Fire said in a statement. In Bellevue, east of Seattle, a tree fell onto a home, killing a woman Tuesday night, fire officials said.

Tracy Meloy of Issaquah, Washington, felt well-prepared for the storm Tuesday afternoon, with dinner prepped and lanterns ready. But then she spent the night listening to wind-whipped debris hit the outside of her home, including a particularly loud "thump" around 9 p.m. On Wednesday morning she ventured outside to survey the damage to her neighborhood about 17 miles east of Seattle.

"Now that I'm standing here in front of the house, I can tell it's the tree that was across the street," Meloy said. The tree pulled down the power lines in front of her home. Limbs, leaves and other plants were strewn all over the road.

"It looks like a forest floor instead of a street," she said.

The number of power outage reports in Washington fluctuated wildly Tuesday evening, but steadily declined to about 500,000 by Wednesday morning, according to poweroutage.us. More than 5,600 were reported to be without power in Oregon, 35,000 in California and 10,000 in Nevada.

"Trees are coming down all over the city & falling onto homes," the Bellevue fire department posted on X on Tuesday night. "If you can, go to the lowest floor and stay away from windows. Do not go outside if you can avoid it."

The first significant snow of the season in the Dakotas and Minnesota led to accidents and slippery roadways. The weather service said up to 16 inches (40 cm) of snow could fall in the Turtle Mountains of North Dakota, and Minot could get up to 8 inches (20 cm) of snow. Winds were expected to be problematic in parts of Montana and Nebraska, with gusts up to 60 mph (97 kph), the weather service said.

Officials advised no travel throughout northern North Dakota due to the wintry weather. State troopers in northern Minnesota responded to several accidents, including tractor-trailers that jackknifed on Interstate 194 after the roadway became slippery from snow and ice. The storm was contributing to high wind conditions in Juneau, Alaska, where gusts of up to 60 mph (96 kph) were expected.

The weather service warned people on the West Coast about the danger of trees during high winds, posting on X, "Stay safe by avoiding exterior rooms and windows and by using caution when driving."

Southbound Interstate 5 was closed for an 11-mile (18-kilometer) stretch from Ashland, Oregon, to the border with California on Wednesday morning due to extreme winter weather conditions in northern California, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation. It was expected to be a long-term closure, the department said.

The weather service issued a flood watch for parts of southwestern Oregon through Friday evening, while rough winds and seas halted a ferry route in northwestern Washington between Port Townsend and Coupeville.

Robert and Lisa Haynes, of Issaquah, Washington, surveyed the damage in their neighborhood Wednesday. Fallen branches or trees blocked driveways and roads, and they were stuck at home.

"It's like a snow day," Robert Haynes said, "but with no snow."