The National Weather service has issued a winter storm warning for the east side of the state, along with the Olympics and Cascades. Up to 18 inches of snow is likely in the Cascades.

KIRO 7 Eyewitness News Reporter Chris Legeros said heavy snow is coming down with gusty winds near the Snoqualmie Pass summit.

He said snow and slush are covering the roadway and chains are required as snow continues to pile up. Drivers are warned to be prepared for poor visibility.

WATCH IT: Heavy Snow Slows Snoqualmie Pass Traffic

A winter storm warning is in effect until 10 p.m.

Northern Kittitas County Tribune Truck hangs from overpass - Northern Kittitas County Tribune photo A truck dangles from a bridge after a crash along Interstate 90 near Cle Elum. Photo courtesy Northern Kittitas County Tribune. /2010/1130/25962311.jpg /2010/1130/25962311_640X361.jpg /2010/1130/25962311_159X90.jpg /2010/1130/25962311_240X136.jpg /2010/1130/25962311_180X102.jpg /2010/1130/25962311_300X169.jpg /2010/1130/25962311_80X45.jpg /2010/1130/25962311_120X68.jpg /2010/1130/25962311_200X113.jpg /2010/1130/25962311_60X34.jpg /2010/1130/25962311_320X181.jpg /2010/1130/25962311_90X51.jpg /2010/1130/25962311_400X226.jpg /2010/1130/25962311_40X23.jpg /2010/1130/25962311_480X271.jpg

Rain and winds are forecast for the lowlands of Western Washington.

WATCH IT: Winds Howl In North Sound WATCH IT: Snow Piling Up On Snoqualmie Pass

KIRO 7 meteorologist Rick VanCise said a strong cold front brings high winds to the north Sound and coastal areas, where a wind advisory is in effect, with gusts above 50 mph.

Reporter Jeff Dubois was in Anacortes where high winds blew down trees in a Christmas tree lot.

Dubois said Puget Sound Energy has 50 crews on standby in case of outages.

Monday night, the high winds knocked out power to the entire city of Sequim when a tree and power lines came crashing down in Blyn in Clallam County at about 9 p.m.

Crews restored some of the power around Sequim by 11 p.m.

VanCise said it will be rainy and breezy in Seattle with southerlies to 25 mph, dropping to 10-15 mph in the afternoon. The heaviest rain will fall on the Kitsap Peninsula.

In the Puget Sound area, high temperatures will be in the mid-40s.

In addition, a flood watch is in effect for the Skykomish River in Mason County.

Tuesday night will change to fewer showers under mostly cloudy skies. That scenario continues through the rest of the week with highs in the upper 30s to lower 40s, VanCise said.