Lowland snow falls across the Puget Sound region with more possible later this week
SEATTLE — Winter has arrived in western Washington. A weather system is bringing mountain snow and areas of snow and rain to the lowlands on Tuesday, with more possible later this week.
Light snow developed across the lowlands throughout the day Tuesday and slowly accumulated as temperatures across the region were below freezing.
The National Weather Service (NWS) said 0.9 inches of snow was measured at Sea-Tac Airport by 11:20 a.m. Tuesday. The daily snow record for Nov. 29 in Seattle is 1 inch set in 2006, according to the NWS.
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NWS tweeted snowfall reports from around western Washington. The areas with most snowfall as of Tuesday afternoon were Neah Bay in Clallam County, Carnation in King County, and Longmire in Pierce County, all with 2 inches recorded. Many areas in the Central Puget Sound interior lowlands started to see the snow transition to rain by Tuesday afternoon.
The transition to rain will be a little more delayed further north, with a chance of wet, potentially heavy snow falling during the evening commute in the Seattle area and north to Bellingham.
Southeasterly winds will continue to increase Tuesday afternoon and peak later in the evening. Gusty westerly winds will then develop in the wake of the system for areas along the eastern Strait, according to the NWS. Localized power outages could be possible.
The NWS issued a Winter Weather Advisory for western Whatcom and Skagit counties, parts of King and Snohomish counties, and the Admiralty Inlet and Lower Chehalis Valley areas from 1 p.m. Tuesday until Wednesday.
Several school districts announced closures or delayed starts on Tuesday. Click here to see a full list of schools. More than 100 arriving and departing flights out of Sea-Tac Airport were canceled Tuesday morning. Most of the cancelations were Alaska Airlines flights.
RADAR: Track snow as it falls across western Washington
The weather service said areas around Seattle and Bellevue could see total snow accumulations of 1 to 4 inches by Wednesday morning. Snow accumulation is likely Tuesday afternoon and evening.
Clark said 1 to 4 inches of snow is possible from Federal Way to Maple Valley, while the northern half of King County into Snohomish County could potentially see 4 to 8 inches of snow. Higher amounts are possible in the Cascade foothills.
The favored cold spots of the Kitsap Peninsula and Hood Canal should remain as all snow through the event, totaling 3-6 inches of slush, according to Clark.
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Areas of the Lower Chehalis Valley above 500 feet could see 3 to 5 inches of snow, with higher amounts possible near the southern slopes of the Olympics, the NWS said.
While lowland snow is expected to fall, Clark said most of what accumulates is expected to melt by Wednesday morning. Temperatures are expected to warm into the 40s as snow changes to rain, before the precipitation gradually tapers to an end.
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Heavy snow also fell in the mountains on Tuesday. A Winter Storm Warning was issued for the Cascades from Whatcom to Lewis counties from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. Wednesday. The NWS said heavy snow is expected, with accumulations of 12 to 24 inches in higher elevations and 6 to 12 inches in the valleys.
Stevens and Snoqualmie passes are among the areas included in the Winter Storm Warning. Officials said traveling across the passes may be difficult. Click here to check the latest mountain pass conditions.
Another round of lowland snow is possible Wednesday night into Thursday as a rush of cold air moves into the region, with temperatures expected to dip into the 20s. Clark said any quick burst of heavy snow showers could result in a minor accumulation in spots.
Another brush of widespread lowland snow could come Friday night as a new coastal low sends moisture inland and into the lingering cold air across the Puget Sound lowlands.
The cold air is expected to remain in place over the region through early next week.