Seattle weather: Incoming storm will bring heavy rain to lowlands, snow to mountains
Heavy lowland rain, significant mountain snow Tuesday
Heavy lowland rain and significant mountain snow fire up by Tuesday afternoon. The evening drive will be super difficult in the lower elevations due to ongoing rain, lowered visibility and slick roads. As mountain snow intensifies in the afternoon and evening, roads over the passes could be incredibly treacherous.
SEATTLE - A storm system hitting the Pacific Northwest Tuesday will bring heavy rain the lowlands and our first significant snow to the Cascade mountain passes.
Several rounds of precipitation will hit Western Washington over the next 24 hours through Wednesday afternoon. A cold air mass will help snow levels drop to around 3,000 feet Tuesday and Wednesday. That means areas above 3,000 feet will see 6 to 15 inches of snow. Areas higher than 5,000 feet could see 1 to 2 feet of snow.
As this low pressure system digs south into the Pacific Northwest it will usher in some chilly and breezy Fraser Valley outflow winds Tuesday night. Areas in western Whatcom County, western Skagit County, and San Juan County could see gusts up to 35 mph.
In the mountains, travel will be tough tonight as heavy wet snow falls over the passes. Passes over the central and northern Washington Cascades will be impacted the most with 6 to 15 inches of snow expected.
The Olympics will also see 4 to 10 inches of wet snow above 3,000 feet near Hurricane Ridge.
In the lowlands, expect .50-1" of rain in the next 24 hours. Some areas in the north and south sound could see more. No matter where you are in Western Washington, if your kids have practice for sports tonight, be prepared for a cool, wet evening.
After we get through the next 24 hours, the big story will be the cold weather. Areas in the north sound and north end of the Olympic Peninsula could see temps drop to around freezing by early Wednesday morning. The rest of Western Washington will see close to freezing temperatures early Sunday morning.
The bottom line is, it's time to get out the puffy jackets, stocking caps, and gloves.
