Local

Lowland rain and foothills snow into Friday evening

A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for many Cascade foothill locations through 10 p.m. as cold air remains locked up against the mountains and snow and freezing rain fall.

A Winter Weather Advisory has been extended through midnight Friday for Whatcom County.

Key developments: 

Advisories and warnings 

Winter Storm Warning is in effect for many Cascade foothill locations through 10 p.m. as cold air remains locked up against the mountains and snow and freezing rain fall.

Winter Weather Advisory in effect until  midnight Friday for Whatcom County. 

In areas of Northern Washington state, there is the potential for another 3 accumulated inches. An advisory is in effect through 4 p.m. for the East Puget Sound lowlands.

Estimated accumulations

Further accumulations of an inch or two of snow or a glaze of ice are possible this evening near the Cascade foothills while snow continues to fall -- heavy at times -- in the mountains.

How long will it be here?

Precipitation will end from west to east around midnight into early Saturday morning.  While frozen precipitation will mainly be confined to the foothills, a few flakes could mix in heavier showers in the lowlands.

Wind

This afternoon still looks gusty to breezy with mainly spotty rain showers, but don't be surprised if the occasional wet snow flakes falls.  Highs will be in the lower-40s.

Saturday

Tomorrow we'll see more rain at times with a few showers on Sunday and Monday. We should get a dry day by Tuesday.

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Interesting points

  • The last snow of significance in Seattle was Saturday evening, Feb. 8, 2014.  That was 2.8 inches at Sea-Tac and over 3" here at KIRO 7.  But because of a warm ground, there were minimal substantial impacts Sunday.
  • The epic, multi-day event in January 2012 totaled more than nine inches in Seattle over four days.
  • Cold air will hang on for a while, so we're just getting started. Lowland snow will be a better chance over the next month or two than in the past two years!
  • Snowpack is up to about where it ought to be this time of year in the Cascades.

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