Mountain Snow Continues in Seattle Area

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Heavy winds knocked out power for tens of thousands and downed trees across Western Washington, followed by falling temperatures and ongoing mountain snow. There is a possibility for rain to briefly mix with or change over to snow in some lowland locations late Thursday night, but any early snow will transition back to rain by Friday afternoon. Mountain travel will remain difficult through Saturday morning, but warmer weather arriving Monday will turn pass snow into rain and push temperatures into the upper 50s by St. Patrick's Day.

Why it matters

The continued mountain snow and potential for a brief lowland rain-snow mix could impact travel conditions in the Seattle area, while the warmer weather on the way will provide relief after a period of wintry weather.

The details

After forceful winds moved through Western Washington late Wednesday into early Thursday, tens of thousands were without power Thursday morning, and there were reports of downed trees and some closed roads. Snow had also been falling on and off again in the mountains. Temperatures cooled through the day Thursday, with most locations sitting in the upper 30s to the low 40s by the afternoon. If precipitation becomes heavy enough late Thursday night into early Friday morning, there is the possibility for rain to briefly mix with or change over to snow in some lowland locations, with minor accumulations possible on grass, patio furniture, and other cooler surfaces. However, any early snow will transition back to rain by Friday afternoon. Mountain snow will continue creating difficult travel conditions at the passes through Friday and into early Saturday.

• Late Wednesday into early Thursday, heavy winds knocked out power for tens of thousands and downed trees across Western Washington.
• Thursday morning, tens of thousands were without power and there were reports of downed trees and some closed roads.
• Thursday afternoon, most locations were sitting in the upper 30s to the low 40s.
• Late Thursday night into early Friday morning, there is a possibility for rain to briefly mix with or change over to snow in some lowland locations.
• Friday afternoon, any early snow will transition back to rain.

What’s next

Precipitation will become lighter Saturday and Sunday, which means only minor additional snow is expected in the mountains. Noticeably warmer weather will arrive for the work week, turning any snow at the passes back to rain starting Monday. For St. Patrick's Day, highs will climb into the upper 50s with scattered showers.