The days might be getting longer, but winter isn’t finished with western Washington just yet. Modified arctic air from British Columbia is forecast to move into western Washington on Saturday, bringing gusty winds and the chance of light lowland snow to parts of the region.
The arctic air pushed into western Washington is expected to stick around the region into early next week, according to KOMO News Meteorologist Kristin Clark. Low temperatures are forecast in the 20s, with highs only in the 30s.
Clark said it won’t quite be like the stinging cold the Puget Sound region experienced a few days before Christmas, but an extra layer will be good when walking outside during the mini cold wave Sunday through Tuesday.
The cold air is expected to begin advancing into the northwest interior Saturday afternoon. Clark said much of the arctic air will be blocked by the Cascade and coastal mountains, but the chill will find its way into the region through the mountain gaps – especially in the Fraser Valley.
Winds are forecast to increase across Whatcom County Saturday afternoon, with brisk, northeast wind gusts up to 50 mph possible by nightfall. With overnight lows expected in the 20s Saturday, the strong winds are expected to cause the wind chill to be in the teens or single digits in Lynden and parts of Whatcom County.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a Wind Advisory for San Juan County and western Whatcom and Skagit counties from Saturday evening through Sunday morning. The weather service said the gusty winds could knock down trees and utility poles, causing power outages in some areas.
A few wet snow showers are possible for parts of the Puget Sound region, but Clark said the moisture is expected to quickly depart by the time the core of the coldest air arrives.
The NWS said snow levels will drop below 1,000 feet “from about Seattle northward” Saturday afternoon. Some snow showers are possible for parts of Snohomish County northward, but little snow accumulation is expected, if any.
Snow levels are forecast to drop to 500 feet or below by Saturday evening, but the NWS said showers will be south of Seattle. Clark said parts of the southwest interior stand the best chance of a minor coating of snow Saturday evening.
While significant snow accumulation isn’t expected, the Washington State Department of Transportation warned drivers to prepare for an overnight freeze Saturday and the possibility of slick roads Sunday morning.
Despite sunshine and calmer winds on Sunday and Monday, highs will struggle to get out of the 30s.
Clark said the Monday morning commute will be the coldest, with locations east of I-5 potentially seeing lows in the teens and mid 20s.
We can finally ditch the winter coat by the first weekend in February as models hint at highs near 50 degrees.