Weather

Lowland Snow Forecast In Washington, Beginning Thursday Night

Forecasters are increasingly confident that snow will fall across the lowlands this week, with some potential for significant accumulations.

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A series of winter storms socked the Seattle region in February 2019, impacting Puget Sound communities for several days. The forecasts for this week's storms still leave a lot of room for uncertainty.
A series of winter storms socked the Seattle region in February 2019, impacting Puget Sound communities for several days. The forecasts for this week's storms still leave a lot of room for uncertainty. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)

SEATTLE — The latest forecasts have reinforced early predictions for lowland snow late in the week, and it's looking increasingly likely that most Puget Sound communities will see a lot more than a dusting.

A new timeline released Wednesday night shows snowfall increasing Thursday morning across Lewis County, then moving northward toward Puget Sound. The bulk of the first storm's snow looks to stay south of King County, but the probability is growing that a second system Friday night will bring widespread, heavy snowfall across the region — including several inches for the Seattle metro.

Winter weather headlines:

  • Lowland snow will be possible beginning late Thursday and lasting through at least Saturday.
  • The first storm Thursday night into Friday morning may not bring accumulation to the Seattle area, but a second round may bring several inches.
  • Breezy conditions will bring wind chill temperatures down to the teens by Friday morning.

The National Weather Service is tracking several upcoming storm systems, expected to coincide with sub-freezing temperatures forecast across Western Washington through the weekend. While there is still uncertainty in the storm track, the Seattle area could pick up 6 inches of snow between Thursday and Saturday, with even higher totals likely in Tacoma and Olympia.

(National Weather Service)

A winter storm warning will be active between Thursday morning and Friday evening for portions of the South Sound, Cascades and Southwest Interior. Forecasters expect the first storm will move northward Thursday, with snow arriving over Puget Sound later that evening.

While there is a chance that snow will taper off earlier Friday, a "potentially more significant winter storm" is possible late and lasting into Saturday. While the impact of that second storm is still uncertain, depending both on its path and how much cold air remains, some models predict major accumulations across the Seattle metro.

A third significant weather system may develop late Sunday into Monday, forecasters said, but it's still too early to know what type of precipitation may materialize.

Frigid temperatures and wind chills

The conditions allowing for the first significant snow of the season include much colder temperatures, dipping into the 20s Thursday morning, and failing to escape the 30s in the afternoon. Temperatures are set to plunge even further Friday morning, with an added wind chill landing in the teens.

(National Weather Service)

Road crews prepare for prolonged travel impacts

Transportation teams are gearing up across King and Pierce counties, preparing roads for ice, and standing by to plow key roads. Drivers are encouraged to plan for likely travel impacts and refresh their knowledge of primary snow routes.

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