The potential for the season's first lowland snow has people in Snohomish County stocking up and hunkering down.
With predictions of between one and three inches of snow in the lower elevations around Puget Sound, the big issue for a lot of people is driving on slushy or icy roads. Plow crews are ready throughout Snohomish County, but when the weather is really bad just getting the car out of the driveway can be a challenge.
After years of stooping over to shovel out his front yard, Carey, who declined to give his last name, decided he needed a break. He purchased an electric snowblower, and even if the approaching storm doesn't deliver a ton of snow, Carey figures the equipment will come in handy through the rest of the winter.
“I've got a three-car driveway and it's on a hill so shoveling that with a snow shovel, especially when it gets icy out, is a little tricky and hairy,” he said.
Others already know that once snow and ice start to accumulate on the roads, they will likely end up trapped.
“If it snows I'm stuck because I'm down on a hill and i got an old car,” said Jim Kintz of Everett.
At an Ace Hardware store in Everett, people have been scooping up all the key supplies. Sacks of ice-melter were nearly picked over and some shelves had already been scraped bare. However, lots of essential cold weather supplies were still available.
“They're expecting it to snow and I was right here, and figured I might as well get a shovel,” said Eric Byarlay. “Probably just to clear the driveway, in case we need to leave the house for whatever reason."
Many are surprised that forecasts for lowland snow are coming so early in the season.
“Oh yes, it's cold,” said David Thomas, who lives in Everett. “It got really cold last night and then it hailed up here three times yesterday."
Cold weather shelters are also opening their doors so people with few options can get safely out of the freezing temperatures.
Whatever snowfall does arrive should be short-lived. Meteorologists are forecasting that this front could be wrapped up by Wednesday.
“If it does snow, it's not going to stay around long, and then it's going to rain,” Kintz said. “It's Washington. Wait 15 minutes and it will do that."