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Spotty Lowland Snow Forecast for Tuesday Night Into Early Wednesday Across Western Washington

Updated (5 articles)
  • The wheel of a car on an icy road.
    The wheel of a car on an icy road.
    Image: King5 (Seattle, WA)
    The wheel of a car on an icy road. (Credit: snapshotfreddy - stock.adobe.com) Source Full size

Snow Levels Drop to Around 500 Feet Across Lowlands Snow is expected to reach elevations as low as 500 ft, with the snow‑line hovering between 500 and 1,000 ft through the overnight period and early Wednesday morning [1][2]. Temperatures will linger in the upper‑20s to low‑30s, keeping the air near freezing and allowing snow to form at unusually low elevations [1]. The cold air mass will remain in place through Thursday before a gradual warming trend lifts highs into the low‑50s later in the week [1][2].

Mixed Rain‑Snow Showers Target King, Snohomish, and Pierce Counties Meteorologists anticipate a convergence‑zone band that will produce scattered rain‑snow showers, especially over Snohomish, King, and Pierce counties [1]. Heavier bursts may briefly turn to snow in foothill communities and higher terrain east of Puget Sound, while lower‑lying areas could see a rain‑snow mix from the Kitsap Peninsula to coastal foothills [2]. Intermittent precipitation will create slick conditions when rain pauses and temperatures dip below freezing, raising the risk of brief refreezing on cleared road surfaces [2].

First Alert Issued at 9 p.m. to Warn Commuters KING 5’s First Alert Weather Team will activate at 9 p.m. Tuesday to broadcast safety information and travel advisories for the event [1]. The alert emphasizes potential impacts on life, property, and transportation, noting that minor slushy accumulation may form on side roads, bridges, and elevated surfaces during the early‑morning commute [1]. By mid‑morning Wednesday, most lowland areas should rise above freezing, converting any remaining precipitation to rain [1].

Mountain Snow Accumulation Continues While Lowland Impacts Remain Limited The forecast calls for 6‑12 inches of additional snow in the Cascades and other mountain regions by week’s end, reinforcing the ongoing buildup of the snowpack [2]. Despite the low‑elevation snow potential, weather anchor Parella Lewis stresses that widespread lowland impacts are not expected, with only brief, localized slush likely [2]. Arctic air will linger through the weekend, but snow levels are projected to rise to roughly 1,500 ft by Saturday, reducing further lowland snow chances [2].

Sources

Timeline

Dec 17, 2025 – Winds ease across western Washington, ushering a cooler, more seasonal pattern; snow levels drop, prompting forecasts of 5‑10 inches of snow at Snoqualmie and Stevens Pass between Wednesday morning and Thursday morning, with a convergence zone potentially adding several more inches. Saturated soils and lingering winds topple trees and power lines, keeping outage and landslide risks elevated. An atmospheric river brushes the region Thursday, delivering about 0.5 in of rain to lowlands and 1‑2 in to the mountains while most impacts stay in Oregon. Forecasts call for snow levels of 2,000‑3,000 ft over the weekend and 2,500‑3,500 ft early next week, with highs in the mid‑40s and overnight lows in the upper 30s to low 40s. [5]

Dec 27, 2025 – Light snow lingers in the Puget Sound convergence zone into Saturday morning, leaving dustings up to 2 inches in Snohomish and King counties while mountain passes collect 10‑14 inches. Forecasters expect no further impactful snowfall, only patchy flurries and dense fog that could create slick spots on freezing nights. A high‑pressure ridge maintains a dry stretch through Monday, but cold‑night temperatures plunge into the upper 20s in northern areas. The next system is projected to arrive late Wednesday or Thursday, bringing a gradual warming of a few degrees. [4]

Jan 7‑8, 2026 – A colder system moves across western Washington, dropping snow levels from about 1,500 ft on Wednesday to near 500 ft overnight, raising the chance of wet snow or rain‑snow mix down to sea level by Thursday morning, though accumulation remains minimal. The Cascades remain under a Winter Storm Warning, with an additional 2‑4 ft of snow expected through Thursday afternoon and at least another foot at mountain passes. KING 5 activates its First Alert system to warn of slick roads and limited lowland impacts, while a High Surf Advisory runs from 10 a.m. Wednesday to 10 a.m. Thursday along the coast. [3]

Feb 17, 2026 – Snow levels fall to roughly 500 ft Wednesday morning, allowing a rain‑snow mix to affect the Kitsap Peninsula, Hood Canal, and coastal foothills, as meteorologist Rich Marriott warns of possible sleet or light snow in those zones. Weather anchor Parella Lewis notes that widespread lowland impacts should remain limited despite the snow potential. Mountains continue to add 6‑12 inches of snow by week’s end, while lingering Arctic air keeps snow levels low through the weekend before they rise to about 1,500 ft by Saturday, reducing lowland snow chances. [2]

Feb 18, 2026 – Spotty lowland snow threatens western Washington Tuesday night into Wednesday, with snow levels near 500 ft and temperatures in the upper 20s to low 30s prompting mixed rain‑snow showers, especially in convergence‑zone bands. KING 5’s First Alert team activates at 9 p.m. Tuesday to disseminate safety information, and earlier light wet snow that melted quickly may return as brief slushy accumulations on side roads and bridges during the early‑morning commute. Cold air persists through early Thursday before a warming trend lifts highs to the low 50s later in the week, ending lowland snow chances. [1]

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