Lowland snow in the forecast for Seattle area
Dec 18, 2013, 8:52 AM | Updated: Dec 19, 2013, 7:38 am
Snow is in the forecast for Western Washington through the end of the week.
A Winter Storm Watch is in effect for Thursday evening through Friday morning.
The National Weather Service forecasts 1 to 5 inches of snow from Tacoma north. Forecasters also expect 1 to 3 inches on the coast and southwest Washington.
Snow will likely start falling on the coast around midnight Thursday, moving into the interior lowlands just in time for the Friday morning commute.
“The commute on Friday morning could well be problematic for many, so be prepared for it,” University of Washington Atmospheric Sciences Professor Cliff Mass writes in his weather blog.
Warmer air is expected to move in after sunrise Friday morning for the coast, and around late morning for the lowlands, turning the snow to rain.
“There is still quite a bit of uncertainty regarding how this event will unfold, particularly with how much snow will fall in which areas,” says the NWS.
According to the NWS, if warm winds from the south are stronger than expected, there may not be much snow.
More snow is expected in the mountains and parts of Eastern Washington. Cooler temperatures will keep a chance of snow in the Eastern Washington forecast through the weekend.
Forecasters expect drier but cloudy weather through Christmas in Washington.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
