Dreaming of a White Christmas? For some, it's possible
SEATTLE - If you've been dreaming of White Christmas, for a few people, Mother Nature is working to make those dreams come true.
Some parts of the Puget Sound lowlands could receive a rare white Christmas - at least during the morning hours.
Much like what occurred on Wednesday, an incoming weather system is expected to arrive in the early morning hours Christmas morning after temperatures have dropped to around the freezing mark following a chilly night.
The best chance of accumulating snow is, as it was on Wednesday, near the Hood Canal, the Kitsap Peninsula from about Bremerton west to the Hood Canal, and parts of southwest Washington.
Forecast models show the Hood Canal area including spots like Hoodsport, Brinnon and Seabeck could see significant snows of 6-8 inches. Lesser amounts in the 2-4 inch range are expected along the central Kitsap Peninsula and southwestern Washington. A few inches are also possible early Christmas Day morning in the Cascade foothills, much like Wednesday.
Elsewhere, light accumulations are possible on higher hills or away from bodies of water like Puget Sound, but again just like Wednesday, snow accumulations are expected to be light and not last particularly long.
By midday and afternoon, if not sooner, temperatures will warm to above freezing and the snow will change to rain. (Just like Wednesday.) However, it will be a slower transition along the Hood Canal and Kitsap County areas.
Snow will continue to fall in the mountains, possibly accompanied by gusty winds.
Or to recap, just generally expect what happened on Wednesday.
Snow it the Olympics foothills; Gusty winds in the Cascade Foothills
OK, so there is one difference between Tuesday's expected weather and what happened on Wednesday -- Christmas Day also features potential for strong, gusty east winds in the Cascade foothill towns such as Enumclaw, North Bend and Gold Bar.
Cold, dense air in Eastern Washington is creating higher pressure east of the mountains and as the storm approaches the coast, it will generate a large difference in pressure between Eastern and Western Washington.
Forecast models indicate east winds will increase just after midnight Christmas morning, peaking around noon and abating in the afternoon.
7 Percent Chance of White Christmas In Seattle
White Christmases are rare in the Puget Sound lowlands. Statistics show that Seattle has about a 7 percent chance of having an inch or more of snow on the ground on Christmas Day - which works out to be about once every 14 years. Bellingham is a bit better at 10 percent, while Olympia is at 3 percent.
The last official white Christmas in Seattle - defined as 1 inch or more on the ground at Sea-Tac Airport - was in 2008. Before that it was 1990. But other areas of the Puget Sound lowlands have had white Christmases in between.
It is unlikely that Sea-Tac will get a full inch of snow to qualify 2012 an official White Christmas, but if you're in the Seattle area and need to have snow for the holidays, you can drive about 40 miles west or east.
Some parts of the Puget Sound lowlands could receive a rare white Christmas - at least during the morning hours.
Much like what occurred on Wednesday, an incoming weather system is expected to arrive in the early morning hours Christmas morning after temperatures have dropped to around the freezing mark following a chilly night.
The best chance of accumulating snow is, as it was on Wednesday, near the Hood Canal, the Kitsap Peninsula from about Bremerton west to the Hood Canal, and parts of southwest Washington.
Forecast models show the Hood Canal area including spots like Hoodsport, Brinnon and Seabeck could see significant snows of 6-8 inches. Lesser amounts in the 2-4 inch range are expected along the central Kitsap Peninsula and southwestern Washington. A few inches are also possible early Christmas Day morning in the Cascade foothills, much like Wednesday.
Elsewhere, light accumulations are possible on higher hills or away from bodies of water like Puget Sound, but again just like Wednesday, snow accumulations are expected to be light and not last particularly long.
By midday and afternoon, if not sooner, temperatures will warm to above freezing and the snow will change to rain. (Just like Wednesday.) However, it will be a slower transition along the Hood Canal and Kitsap County areas.
Snow will continue to fall in the mountains, possibly accompanied by gusty winds.
Or to recap, just generally expect what happened on Wednesday.
Snow it the Olympics foothills; Gusty winds in the Cascade Foothills
OK, so there is one difference between Tuesday's expected weather and what happened on Wednesday -- Christmas Day also features potential for strong, gusty east winds in the Cascade foothill towns such as Enumclaw, North Bend and Gold Bar.
Cold, dense air in Eastern Washington is creating higher pressure east of the mountains and as the storm approaches the coast, it will generate a large difference in pressure between Eastern and Western Washington.
Forecast models indicate east winds will increase just after midnight Christmas morning, peaking around noon and abating in the afternoon.
7 Percent Chance of White Christmas In Seattle
White Christmases are rare in the Puget Sound lowlands. Statistics show that Seattle has about a 7 percent chance of having an inch or more of snow on the ground on Christmas Day - which works out to be about once every 14 years. Bellingham is a bit better at 10 percent, while Olympia is at 3 percent.
The last official white Christmas in Seattle - defined as 1 inch or more on the ground at Sea-Tac Airport - was in 2008. Before that it was 1990. But other areas of the Puget Sound lowlands have had white Christmases in between.
It is unlikely that Sea-Tac will get a full inch of snow to qualify 2012 an official White Christmas, but if you're in the Seattle area and need to have snow for the holidays, you can drive about 40 miles west or east.
LOL ... there isn't going to be any SNOW christmas day the FORECAST WILL CHANGE.....this is seattle!..everytime its PREDICTED..IT NEVER HAPPENS..we get in trouble only when its cold enough.. and they say.. "OH DON"T WORRY ...NO MOISTURE AROUND".. ...then look out! LOL
not bettin' the ranch on this one.....
 @Smartypants Hell I wouldn't bet one cow
Bring it on!!!!  :)
snow, lots of accidents, "fender-benders" that cost an arm and a leg (hopefully not literally), spin-outs, tows, broken transmissions and ice--yeah, lots of fun. Bring back the rain.
 @chandler and a very Merry Christmas to you Mr. Scrooge.....
The weathers outside if frightful, But the fire is so delightful, And since we've no place to go, Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Merry Christmas PNW!!!
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geez.. what a bunch of Racists.. white christmas .. just proves we aren't past the color barrier.Â
I am dreaming of a white Christmas :)
We need some new bumper car videos for Christmas.
 @Elvis Yeah I cant wait, the one with the Infinity suv is still awesome though. maybe someone can one up her.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5ft097tgr0
I'll believe it when i see it , just follow Cliff Mass for real weather data.
Now if only Kent would get some snow. Merry Christmas to all.Â
I'm dreaming of a White Christmas.
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1998 Christmas was white in Shoreline. It was great - except for the ice that came about a day later and everybody 'had' to drive their cars down a very steep hill and end up in a pile of metal there just right at Ballenger Way. It was fun to watch one of my neighbors in his BMW try to roar up a smaller hill, only to keep sliding down and down and down and he'd keep trying. Never made it up though. Seatac didn't get snow, so I don't think it made it to the 'record books' but I remember it well.
Oh tease, tease, tease. Mother nature is such a tease! But another thing that would be cool is a white New Years. I cannot remember one of those in maybe decades. I can however remember quite a few white Christmases. At any rate, I've learned not to get my hopes too high.
Always somewhere ! Just love it...let it SNOW !