Seattle snow coverage around the U.S.

Enough of us talking about our snow storm, what are other news organizations and websites around the world are saying about Western Washington’s January snowfall?

ABC News, with the headline “Seattle Prepares for Worst Snowstorm in Decade,” writes:

On average, Seattle sees about 5.9 inches of snow in a year, but over the next 24 hours the Emerald City, nicknamed for its lush green landscapes, will be stuck in a snow globe, with parts of the city expected to receive eight to 12 inches of snow.

It could be the worst snowstorm the city has seen since 9.8 inches fell in 1974 and there is widespread concern that the accumulation might topple trees and power lines, shutting down the city entirely.

The Washington Post reports:

The hype is building in the Emerald City for a possible “megastorm”of historic proportions tonight and Wednesday. Snow total forecasts of over one foot are being tossed around. But officially, the National Weather Service (NWS) is calling for 5-10 inches in Seattle and some forecast amounts are falling.

Including media forecasts and bloggers, predicted amounts range from 2-12”+ for the greater Seattle area. Irrespective of exact amounts, the incoming storm promises to have major impacts across the Puget Sound region and nearby mountains.

Washington State Patrol trooper Josh Griffith talks with drivers on I-90 near North Bend, Wash. (AP Photo)

A CBS News web headline reads “Seattle sets umbrellas aside, braces for snow”:

Seattle, a city more accustomed to rain than snow, prepared for a potentially major snow storm to hit Wednesday as the city’s mayor urged residents to stay off roads and school officials prepared for the worst.

Snow has been falling steadily in various parts of western Washington and Oregon since the weekend, but meteorologists with the National Weather Service in Seattle said the biggest amounts could come on Wednesday.

Remarkably, the UK’s Daily Mail does not mention Amanda Knox in their story about Seattle snow. They write:

Worst blizzard in nearly 30 years heads for Seattle as city faces DOUBLE its annual snowfall in just two days. Travel may become ‘dangerous or impossible’, say experts.

“Amazing Planet,” a BBC online company writes:

Now is the time to stock up on toilet paper, bread and milk, denizens of Seattle. The Emerald City could be hit with up to two winter’s worth of snow in the next 48 hours.

That means it’s time to say goodbye to this year’s wimpy winter — snow, sleet and ice are all forecast for the Pacific Northwest. In Seattle, the weather will be particularly nasty. By Thursday (Jan. 19), Seattle could see up to 1.5 feet (0.5 meters) of snow, according to the National Weather Service.

The BBC’s own headline is “US north-west braces for record snowfall”

Seattle has already seen a snap of intense winter weather over the weekend. States in the US Pacific Northwest are bracing for one of the worst snowstorms the region has seen in a generation.

A westerly storm is expected to engulf the state of Washington, bringing up to 2ft (61cm) of snow, the National Weather Service (NWS) says.Mountainous areas already hit by a weekend storm will be hardest hit, with areas of Oregon also seeing deep snow.

USA Today‘s story:

A potentially historic winter storm is forecast to dump heavy snow across the Pacific Northwest Wednesday, probably wreaking travel havoc in areas not used to so much of the white stuff.

Unlike most Northwest storms, snow may fall even at sea level, including in Seattle and Portland.

Up to a foot of snow could blanket the Seattle area, a city that typically sees about 6 inches a year. If 10 inches are measured, it would match the third-biggest snowstorm on record in Seattle, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Johnny Burg in Seattle.