SEATTLE - Last year on the Monday after Thanksgiving, a big snow and flash freeze crippled western Washington. This year, snow again dotted the landscape, but the travel problems were confined to the mountains.

A fairly strong storm brought the first taste of snow to some parts of the Western Washington lowlands, and the first big travel headache to the mountain passes.

Several spinouts in the eastbound lanes of I-90 Monday evening forced the State Patrol to close those lanes for nearly an hour before reopening. On Tuesday morning, traffic was moving steadily across the pass but the State Patrol continued to assist drivers who lost control in the snow.

Quite a few spots in the western Washington lowlands also saw their first snow of the season Monday evening, and the North Mason School district was starting 2 hours late due to slush on the roads.

Snow began to fall along the Hood Canal just before 5 o'clock. We had reports of up to 1" of snow accumulations in Shelton, Belfair, Seabeck, Tahuya, Union and Silverdale. The snow tapered off a few hours later.

The snow then picked up in the Everett and Mukilteo areas. As much as 1/2 inch fell in some spots before quickly melting.

Finally, a few hours later, snow began to fall in northern Whatcom County, with accumulations as much as 1-1.5 inches in Ferndale, Maple Falls and Lynden.

Is More Snow On The Way?

The widespread snow is over as the storm has moved off to our east. However, a Convergence Zone will be hanging around overnight, keeping a rain or rain/snow mix going on in the Snohomish and Skagit County areas. A warmer west wind off the ocean is expected to develop overnight as well and that will push snow levels back up to around 1,000 feet near the water. That will change the snow in Whatcom County back over to rain overnight. It's possible if we get a heavy shower overnight that snow levels could briefly dip back under 500 feet, but key word is "brief" and no significant accumulations are expected.

Snow will continue to fall in the Cascades overnight, and we could see snow as low as 500 feet in the Cascade foothills.

What Caused The Snow?

Those that live along the Hood Canal area know they are in a bit of a snow belt, and that's the case again this evening. We had some chilly east wind from Eastern Washington rushing out west to meet an approaching cold front. However, when that wind hits the eastern slopes of the Olympic Mountains, that air is forced upward. As air rises, it cools and condenses and squeeze out its moisture.

To top it off, heavy showers can temporarily lower snow levels in their vicinity as it causes the air to cool a few degrees. (Ever noticed how it gets a little colder when a heavy rain starts? Same thing.) Put that together, and we had just enough cooling along the Hood Canal and Highway 101 between Shelton and Quilcene to squeeze out some snow.

For Snohomish County, your snow was the result of the second part of that equation -- a heavy shower that cooled the air a few degrees to make it just cold enough for snow for those about 400-500 feet -- but that includes most of South Everett and Mukilteo. The enhanced showers were likely due to the main front passing, and causing some convergence between a west wind down the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the south wind in the central Puget Sound area.

Windy Too

Aside from the snow, we also have some wind to deal with. A WIND ADVISORY is in effect until 1 a.m. Tuesday for the Northwest Interior and Strait of Juan de Fuca area. That's basically Everett north to the border, and west to the ocean, including Whidbey, Camano and San Juan Islands. Once the front passes later this evening, we're expecting a push of west wind in its wake with winds of 25-35 mph, gusting perhaps to 45 mph.

Any More Snow This Week?

While it does look chilly the rest of this week, we don't see any more snow in the near future at this time. Wednesday night, snow levels will drop to 1,000 feet again, but at this point, it doesn't look like it'll drop any lower.