Is it going to snow in Seattle?
Seattle weather: Snow falling on Seattle area hills
Snow was falling on North Beacon Hill in Seattle on Sunday morning. FOX 13 Meteorologist Abby Acone has a look at the forecast and possible snow totals.
SEATTLE - A wet weather system is pushing through western Washington this weekend, bringing chances of lowland snow, and plenty of mountain snow.
The good news is, weather conditions will make for improving snow levels at area resorts. However, we are tracking elevated avalanche risks.
Sunday morning
Reports of snow falling are coming in across lowland areas as a wet weather system moves towards the Seattle area.
Saturday evening into Sunday morning
Almost every location in Western Washington will be at or below the freezing point overnight. Any precipitation that falls overnight will be in the form of snow showers and will lead to minor accumulations. Icy roads could be a concern as well. Snow won't be widespread.
This serves as a reminder that the forecast this weekend is super challenging because these are scattered showers we're tracking versus a clear, defined cold front. Between 7 a.m. and noon on Sunday, most of the snow will be focused over the Cascade mountains and foothills with spotty snow showers elsewhere.
Temperatures plummet to the upper 20s to low 30s in the greater Seattle area Sunday morning. (FOX 13 Seattle)
Sunday midday
Once again, there's a chance for a rain/snow/sleet/graupel mix with occasional sunbreaks and stray lightning strikes. Light mountain snow will be ongoing. Temperatures will reach the upper 30s in the afternoon. There may be some melting of any snow that accumulated in the overnight/morning.
Sunday evening into Monday morning
Temperatures will cool faster tomorrow night compared to Saturday evening. By 7 p.m. Sunday evening, temperatures will plummet to the freezing mark in many places. Isolated bands of snow will continue on Sunday evening through Monday.
For kids who are hoping for a delay or cancelation on Monday morning, the weather will be a disappointment for most locations. Western Whatcom or Skagit Counties - along with Western Clallam and Jefferson Counties - have a better chance for accumulating snow that may trigger at least some delays.
There's still some uncertainty about how much snow may stack up in those areas. More details on that below.
Otherwise, plan on icy roads overnight into Monday morning. Any stray snow showers that occur may lead to minor accumulations.
Cold temperatures, combined with moisture from a nearby disturbance will lead to lowland snow chances.
Monday morning
Hit-or-miss snow showers may linger, but most places will be dry. You can plan on frigid highs in the mid to upper 30s. Snow may melt during the afternoon, but the morning commute could be slower where snow and ice are on the ground. Wind chills in Bellingham and Whatcom County could be brutal, dropping to the teens.
Frigid air arrives on Monday dropping temperatures and wind chills in the teens.
Tuesday and beyond:
While temperatures will remain cold with highs only in the mid 30s, the snow potential through the end of the week looks minimal. Showers look isolated at this point. Of course, isolated snow and ice could slow traffic and lead to slick spots, but the rest of the seven day forecast beyond Monday doesn’t look terribly exciting at this point. Stick with us for updates!
Active alerts in effect plus snow totals
A Winter Storm Warning continues until 4 p.m. Saturday for the mountains.
A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for the North and South Sound communities, eastern King/Snohomish/Pierce Counties and the Central and North Coast from 10 tonight to 1 p.m. Monday.
As you read about the snow totals between tonight and Monday below, keep in mind: some of the snow may melt during the daytime hours. Snow accumulation will be on-and-off.
In Western Whatcom and Skagit Counties between tonight and Monday, there may be between two and four plus inches of snow accumulating. There may be localized higher totals of four to six plus inches with periodic melting during the daytime hours.
Snowy weather is likely in the North Sound this weekend. (FOX 13 Seattle)
For Eastern King, Snohomish and Pierce Counties, between two and four plus inches of snow could accumulate during this time. There may be higher totals under heavier bands.
Minor snow is possible in eastern Snohomish, King and Pierce Counties this weekend as well. (FOX 13 Seattle)
For the South Sound (including Tacoma and Olympia) and the Southwest Interior, between one and four plus inches could stack up.
Between one and four inches of snow could accumulate in the South Sound this weekend. (FOX 13 Seattle)
For the Central and North Coast of Washington, two to four plus inches look probable between tonight and Monday. However, there’s a scenario where there could be upwards of four to seven plus inches should strong bands of snow materialize. This might feel like a frustrating forecast because there are multiple possible outcomes – I just want you to be prepared for a range of how this may play out.
Moderate to heavy snow is a possibility along the Washington coast this weekend. (FOX 13 Seattle)
Frigid temperatures are forecast in Seattle this week. (FOX13 Seattle)
The Source: Information for this story came from FOX 13 Seattle Meteorologist Brian MacMillan.
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