An active weekend of weather is on the way.  It’s kicking off with a strong storm moving into Western Washington today that you can see on the satellite image.  Morning rain is focused along the coast and north of Everett; it will become widespread this afternoon as the cold front moves in.   

Plan on much heavier rain after 1 p.m.; holding through the evening commute.  As rain ramps up this afternoon, so does the wind.  Winds 15-30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph are expected around the sound.  The strongest wind will be focused north of Everett, around Whidbey Island, and over the San Juan Islands.  Gusts up to 50 mph are possible.  High temperatures are running in the upper 40s and low 50s later today.  Seattle’s forecast high temperature is at 51 degrees. 

As rain picks up over the lowlands, snow becomes heavy over the mountain passes tonight.  A Winter Storm Warning takes effect at 3 p.m. for the Cascades; 1 to 2 feet of new snow is forecast through 6 p.m. Saturday.  If you’re traveling the mountain passes this weekend, plan on tough driving conditions with possible delays. 

Unstable Saturday Weather

Behind the front, cold moist air streams into Western Washington bringing more showers Saturday.  With much colder air aloft, showers will be locally heavy with isolated thunderstorms possible.  Areas of hail are likely with snow mixing in with some of the heavier showers during the afternoon.  Any snow will be spotty with no accumulation expected. 

Winds are going to be very gusty starting Saturday morning.  A strong westerly surge of wind with possible gusts in excess of 60 mph is expected through the Strait of Juan de Fuca.  Whidbey Island, Admiralty Inlet, and areas around Snohomish County will experience the strongest wind.  Cities along the water like Mukilteo and Edmonds will be very gusty.

Sunday Snow Chance

You will have a better chance of seeing some snow showers in your neighborhood on Sunday.  Another area of low pressure drops in from British Columbia bringing much colder air into Western Washington.  High temperatures will be struggling to reach 40 degrees during the afternoon.  We will stay cold enough throughout the day to see snow or rain/snow mix showers around the sound.  With that disturbance sitting over us, showers will be popping up throughout the day.  These showers will be scattered, so we are not looking at a major snow event.  That being said, everybody across the lowlands has the opportunity to see some flakes outside their window on Sunday.  Areas that see a heavier shower over their neighborhood may see minor accumulation; less than an inch.

We’ll dry out on Monday with some more sun breaking out.  Temperatures will start out well below freezing, so look out for some icy spots as you get back to work early next week. 

 Have a great weekend! 

 -Sam Argier, Morning Meteorologist