Snowflakes reported all around Western Washington
Dec 21, 2015, 6:31 AM | Updated: 2:30 pm
Snow continues to fall on Snoqualmie Pass as another round of winter weather moves over Western Washington and the Cascades. (Nick McGurk/KIRO 7)
(Nick McGurk/KIRO 7)
The snow levels have dropped and there are reports of afternoon snowflakes in Kent, Olympia, Tacoma, Issaquah and Bremerton. While accumulation might be low, forecasters with the National Weather Service in Seattle are keeping a close watch on the Hood Canal area.
People planning to drive over the Cascade passes this week may also need to do some additional planning.
To add to the already slow travel times, the Washington State Department of Transportation will close Highway 2 twice Tuesday morning for avalanche control. Traffic will be stopped from milepost 58 to milepost 64 from 4-6 a.m. and later at 9 a.m.
#US2StevensPass -Avalanche control is planned Tues 4am – 6am and later at 9 am. Traffic will be stopped from Scenic-MP58 to the summit-MP64
— WSDOT East (@WSDOT_East) December 21, 2015
Meanwhile, some areas of Puget Sound lowlands were hit with snow earlier Monday.
The Kitsap Sun reports snow began falling in Seabeck Monday morning.
The storms moving in early this week could be the precursor of a white Christmas. Forecasters say lowland snow is possible Thursday night and Friday morning. The snow level will drop to 500 feet or lower.
And the Cascades are about to be hit by even more snow.
The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for the Cascades of King and Snohomish counties. The forecast calls for up to 11 inches of new snow between Monday and Tuesday.
The advisory remains in effect until 4 a.m. Tuesday.
Related:Online tool predicts significant flooding in Puget Sound region
Heavy snow is expected in the Cascades of Pierce and Lewis counties as well, where as much as 2 feet of snow could accumulate, according to the weather service. A winter storm warning remains in effect until 4 a.m. Tuesday.
Snow levels will be as low as 1,500 feet in the Cascades. The weather service warns that the amount of snow falling in the area could make travel difficult or impossible.
Over in the Olympics, up to three inches of snow could fall Monday.
