A cold storm is tracking into Western Washington on this Veterans Day.  The leading edge of a cold front is moving into Western Washington right now.  We have had bands of intense rain moving through Snohomish County.  Lightning strikes were detected between Monroe and Pilchuck.  The North Cascades also saw some thunderstorms develop.  You can see the rain becoming more widespread and heavy on StormTracker just after 11 a.m.  This widespread rain will turn to showers later this afternoon around the sound.  Winds will be gusty through the afternoon.  The strongest wind will be focused over Whidbey Island, Camano Island, and around Port Townsend.  This is where a High Wind Warning is in effect today with forecast wind gusts 50 to 60 mph.  A Wind Advisory is in effect for the rest of Puget Sound where forecast wind gusts will be in the 30 to 45 mph range.  The strongest wind around the sound will be focused around Snohomish County. The combination of gusty wind and high tide may cause minor coastal flooding on the west coast of Whidbey Island.  A Coastal Flood Advisory will be in effect for Admiralty Inlet this afternoon.    

This storm brings much colder air into Western Washington this afternoon.  The snow level will be dropping down to 2,500 feet, low enough for snow at Snoqualmie Pass.  Snow will be falling at all the mountain passes by 5 p.m. so if you’re traveling over the Cascades after work this will impact your drive.  A Winter Storm Warning was just issued for the North Cascades where 8 to 14 inches of new snow is forecast.  Winds will also be gusting 45 to 55 mph over that area.  A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for the rest of the Washington Cascades and Olympic Mountains where 6 to 11 inches of snow is forecast through tonight.  Snoqualmie Pass can expect snow in the 2 to 4 inches range through tonight with 5 to 8 inches around Stevens Pass.  

This storm is part of a one-two punch... another storm is on the way tomorrow.  This system brings another round of widespread rain for Western Washington on Saturday.  Rain will be heavy at times with snow continuing to fall over the mountain passes.  Winds will not be as strong as today, but it will still be breezy around the sound.  Sunday will be the drier day this weekend with scattered showers.  High temperatures hold in the upper 40s. 

-Sam Argier, Morning Meteorologist