Seattle weather: Snow possible in areas this weekend

Thursday will be a transitional day, as a big change in the weather pattern will usher in rain, cooler temperatures, and a chance for lowland snow through next week.

Here’s a look at the daily breakdown:

Last dry day in Seattle

By the numbers:

It will be dry and cloudy through most of the day Thursday. High temperatures will be cooler, around 44 degrees.

The first significant frontal system in weeks will hit later this evening, bringing widespread rain and mountain snow. Snow levels will be between 3,000 and 4,000 feet tonight. Travel will be difficult the next two days over the Cascades. One to two feet of snow is possible over the mountain passes (Stevens, Snoqualmie, White, and Blewett) through Saturday.

A map showing the high temperatures forecast for Thursday in Western Washington.

It will be cloudy and dry during the daylight hours with rain returning Thursday night. (FOX 13 Seattle)

What's next:

Widespread rain showers and mountain snow will continue through most of the day Friday. Daytime highs will warm close to 50 degrees.

A map showing the expected rainfall in Western Washington the next 48 hours.

A map showing the expected rainfall in Western Washington the next 48 hours. (FOX 13 Seattle)

Rain returns to Seattle

The other side:

Late Friday night into early Saturday morning, we could see some wet convergence zone snow to the lowland areas of Snohomish or north King counties. It will be a close call between cold rain and wet snow, with marginal snow levels and temperatures bottoming out in the low to mid 30s. Remember, 2 to 3 degrees can make all the difference.

After the sun comes up, most spots will just see light rain showers as temperatures warm. Saturday night will bring another shot at lowland snow showers as temperatures cool. The best chance for lowland snow Saturday evening in the Puget Sound area will be north of Everett.

Temperatures will continue to drop on Sunday as Fraser Valley winds pick up and much colder air pushes into the Puget Sound area. By Sunday evening, temperatures should be cold enough in the Puget Sound area for snow. While precipitation will be somewhat limited, any scattered showers that fall Sunday night and Monday morning will likely be snow.

It will be important to follow the forecast in the coming days, as Monday morning’s commute could be impacted.

A graphic showing the snow possibilities this weekend.

Lowland snow is possible in areas this weekend, especially by Sunday night. (FOX 13 Seattle)

Rain-snow mix in Seattle next week

Temperatures will remain very chilly next week with daytime highs in the mid 30s and overnight lows dropping into the mid 20s. While no widespread snow storm is expected, any light showers during the week could produce more snow. A low pressure system will be parked offshore, sending scattered showers inland.

We will have a better idea on accumulations as we get closer to the weekend and as our higher resolution weather models come out. We do not expect this to be a major snow storm for the area, but anyone in the greater Puget Sound area could get something Saturday morning through the middle of next week.

The 7 day forecast for the greater Seattle area.

Lowland snow is possible in spots this weekend around the Puget Sound area. (FOX 13 Seattle)

The Source: Information comes from weather models analyzed by FOX 13 Seattle Chief Meteorologist Brian MacMillan.

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