Rainy, windy now; possibly a little snowy later
SEATTLE -- Get those weather bingo cards handy -- we're going to see quite a bit of variable weather around Western Washington over the next three days that begins with a rainy and windy storm but will eventually transition to a cool and showery pattern that could bring a little snow to parts of the lowlands.
Tuesday will be marked with the rainy and windy portion of our weather program as a potent warm front sweeps through the area. Expect increasing rain through the day, becoming moderate to heavy by the evening into the Tuesday night hours. Forecast models indicate the lowlands could see anywhere from roughly 0.67-2.00 inches of rain, while 3-5" totals are likely in the Olympics and North Cascade mountains. (Lesser amounts of about 1-2 inches of rain equivalent are expected in central and southern Cascades).
The heavy rains have prompted Flood Watches to be issued for all rivers that flow off the Olympic Mountains and Cascade-fed rivers in Snohomish County (mainly the Stillaguamish). The Watch is in effect from 10 a.m. Tuesday through Wednesday afternoon. Any flooding that does occur is expected to be minor.
But what's a January storm without some wind as well? Southerly winds will increase Tuesday afternoon and evening as the warm front passes and a moderately strong low pressure center makes landfall in northern Vancouver Island. Gusts to 50 mph are likely along much of the area, including the Seattle-Tacoma Metro area, the coast, Hood Canal and Northwest Interior. A Wind Advisory is in effect there through 4 a.m. Wednesday.
If you're trying to drive over the mountains, it'll be quite tricky as snow levels will vary quite a bit Tuesday. Snow levels are low enough to begin Tuesday that it'll be snow at Stevens Pass and points north. Stevens Pass could receive up to 6-12 inches of snow during the day and a Winter Weather Advisory is in effect through 3 p.m.
Snow levels will eventually rise to 4,500 feet Tuesday evening, switching Stevens Pass to a slushy rain but higher elevations will get as much as 10-18 inches of additional snow late Tuesday evening into Wednesday morning. On the other hand, it's just rain at Snoqualmie Pass as snow levels will gradually rise to 6,000 feet in the Central Cascades and remain above pass level until Wednesday afternoon, meaning rain across much of I-90 until then.
Snow levels to take a plunge
Rain tapers to showers Wednesday but cooler air from the Gulf of Alaska will begin its march into Western Washington. By Wednesday night into Thursday morning, snow levels are expected to drop to around 400-500 feet.
We won't have a whole lot of moisture left by then, but what few isolated showers are around could bring a dusting to an inch of wet snow to the lowlands, especially on the hilltops. Those would be rather random in location but one spot where snow has a bit better of a chance would be in the usual Puget Sound Convergence Zone locations of southern Snohomish County and northern King County -- especially those areas above 300 feet close to the I-5/I-405 corridor (Alderwood, Harbour Pointe, south Everett, Shoreline, Mountlake Terrace, Canyon Park, Mill Creek) and points east.
Depending on where the zone forms, how strong it gets, and how long it lasts, those areas could see 1-2" of snow by Thursday morning.
The rest of Thursday will feature a chilly day with limited showers and highs struggling to get beyond the upper 30s.
Friday is looking dry with highs around 40, and then another round of showers are expected Saturday and Saturday night with snow levels remaining in that 400-500 foot range for the possibility of more rain/snow mix or wet snow showers.
We dry out for Sunday and long range models suggest we could stay in a fairly dry pattern through next week. Good thing our weather bingo cards come with a free space!
Tuesday will be marked with the rainy and windy portion of our weather program as a potent warm front sweeps through the area. Expect increasing rain through the day, becoming moderate to heavy by the evening into the Tuesday night hours. Forecast models indicate the lowlands could see anywhere from roughly 0.67-2.00 inches of rain, while 3-5" totals are likely in the Olympics and North Cascade mountains. (Lesser amounts of about 1-2 inches of rain equivalent are expected in central and southern Cascades).
The heavy rains have prompted Flood Watches to be issued for all rivers that flow off the Olympic Mountains and Cascade-fed rivers in Snohomish County (mainly the Stillaguamish). The Watch is in effect from 10 a.m. Tuesday through Wednesday afternoon. Any flooding that does occur is expected to be minor.
But what's a January storm without some wind as well? Southerly winds will increase Tuesday afternoon and evening as the warm front passes and a moderately strong low pressure center makes landfall in northern Vancouver Island. Gusts to 50 mph are likely along much of the area, including the Seattle-Tacoma Metro area, the coast, Hood Canal and Northwest Interior. A Wind Advisory is in effect there through 4 a.m. Wednesday.
If you're trying to drive over the mountains, it'll be quite tricky as snow levels will vary quite a bit Tuesday. Snow levels are low enough to begin Tuesday that it'll be snow at Stevens Pass and points north. Stevens Pass could receive up to 6-12 inches of snow during the day and a Winter Weather Advisory is in effect through 3 p.m.
Snow levels will eventually rise to 4,500 feet Tuesday evening, switching Stevens Pass to a slushy rain but higher elevations will get as much as 10-18 inches of additional snow late Tuesday evening into Wednesday morning. On the other hand, it's just rain at Snoqualmie Pass as snow levels will gradually rise to 6,000 feet in the Central Cascades and remain above pass level until Wednesday afternoon, meaning rain across much of I-90 until then.
Snow levels to take a plunge
Rain tapers to showers Wednesday but cooler air from the Gulf of Alaska will begin its march into Western Washington. By Wednesday night into Thursday morning, snow levels are expected to drop to around 400-500 feet.
We won't have a whole lot of moisture left by then, but what few isolated showers are around could bring a dusting to an inch of wet snow to the lowlands, especially on the hilltops. Those would be rather random in location but one spot where snow has a bit better of a chance would be in the usual Puget Sound Convergence Zone locations of southern Snohomish County and northern King County -- especially those areas above 300 feet close to the I-5/I-405 corridor (Alderwood, Harbour Pointe, south Everett, Shoreline, Mountlake Terrace, Canyon Park, Mill Creek) and points east.
Depending on where the zone forms, how strong it gets, and how long it lasts, those areas could see 1-2" of snow by Thursday morning.
The rest of Thursday will feature a chilly day with limited showers and highs struggling to get beyond the upper 30s.
Friday is looking dry with highs around 40, and then another round of showers are expected Saturday and Saturday night with snow levels remaining in that 400-500 foot range for the possibility of more rain/snow mix or wet snow showers.
We dry out for Sunday and long range models suggest we could stay in a fairly dry pattern through next week. Good thing our weather bingo cards come with a free space!
I'm always good for a storm. Bring it mother nature!Â
If it does snow, all of those with bald tires will you please leave your vehicle parked. I can't believe all of the vehicles in this area that have bald or nearly bald tires under them. It's dangerous in the snow and also in the rain. Your tires are your vehicles only contact with the road.
 @Jatok I'm 60 now and I always have loved to drive. I also consider myself a good driver as I was taught so much by my truck driver dad. People have no common sense anymore. I don't know wtf they're thinking when they get behind the wheel but it obviously isn't about driving. And even older people, not just kids think they can use their cell while driving. Whether it be texting or dialing, talking or whatever.It all requires at least some attention and that means less attention on driving. I don't live in the city in fact it's very rural where I am. But so many people have moved into the area that the roads can't handle the amount and type of driving we have now. With no center turn lanes there were several killed when trying to turn to the left with traffic coming. Stopped with blinker working and cars behind unaware and they slam right into the back of someone. Also no lights at busy intersections, one may sit awhile waiting for a chance to pull into traffic. Or else turn right and go till you see a safe place to turn around so you can be on your way in the direction you wanted. And people drive way too fast and tailgate. If they wanted to drive like they still live in the city I wish they'd go back. I don't drive much anymore. They all took the pleasure out of it for me. As for tires and other equipment, no one really cares cuz they don't keep cars very long anyway. They get traded or sold for a newer disposable and then they beat it to pieces too. Idiots.Â
 @Jatok Good point.
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All that Horsepower, torque, thousands of dollars in suspension work that you have in your car means nothing if you put crap or bald tires on your car. Â All of that energy and movement has to go through your tires.
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It's crazy how many people don't realize this.
Just remember people when your front wheel drive Honda civic starts to slide, let off the breaks and the miracle of traction will once again overcome the vehicle.
 @Northriver Not always true but good advice to at least unlock the brakes. People panic and that's the first thing they do. If you don't have ABS just pump the brakes, if you do then the system will do it for you. If you are skidding then turn the wheels in the direction you want to go and don't be afraid to give it a smidge of gas once you are pointed in the right direction.
 @cm257n7  @Northriver And even after all of that, the actual physics of it all may not be in your favor. Go slow and stay off of hills. Get an all wheel drive if you want to feel really good about it, but still go slow and stay off of hills, unless you like to chain up, then go slow and stay off of hills, because someone else will run you over.. The sight of all of the abandoned cars on the highway is just plain sad.
 @cm257n7  @Elvis  @Northriver Even if we don't see tons of snow it still means little in reality.  Considering almost every single roadway in western washington has an incline/decline to it, along with the fact that most of our snowfall is wet snow (unlike the dry snow those 'heavy snowfall areas' get elsewhere in the country) means we are stuck with some of the worst driving conditions in the country when it does snow. Â
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 @Elvis  @Northriver True, but we just NEVER see the amount of snow other places have and we are just not prepared for it. EVER. We don't tires, etc. Oh and this is a good one too! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7zptjhuVe4
 @Northriver see I am not all about confrontation ;-)
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 @deadcandance Amen!
I said it once and I'll say it again... Snow belongs in the mountain snowpack! ... not in the metro area... I'm imposing a NO SNOW IN METRO BAN indefinitely... not because as a kid I did not enjoy it but seriously I am tired of dodging everyone who does not have a clue how to handle it... hell ... people cannot even drive in the rain! ... and their inexperience and stupidity increase exponentially anytime the ground turns white... so NO SNOW down here tonight... the skiers and snowboarders in the mountains can have it!
I love a good storm! Bring it on
We had gusts of 35mph yesterday in Auburn, although they only predicted up to 25mph and we had no wind advisory, etc.  I find that odd, considering that big wind storm from a couple weeks ago had all kinds of warnings, news articles, etc  and we only had 40mph winds.
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