Exactly where and how much? It’s too early to tell, but cold air and moisture are expected late Sunday and into Monday.
It’s coming.
Dipping temperatures and a blast of Arctic air are expected to bring at least a few flurries of snow to lowland areas of Western Washington.
“At this point, it does appear it will snow across the area, late Sunday and into Monday,” said Logan Johnson, a National Weather Service meteorologist.
More on snow sports
- What’s new at ski areas around the Northwest and B.C.
- Growing haven for skinny skis: Upper Wenatchee Valley
- Compare lift-ticket prices for region’s ski resorts
- At least once in your life, you’ve got to ski Oregon’s Timberline
- How to ski (and stay) at Whistler without breaking the bank
- Oh, what’s that? Winter wildlife tracking stokes imagination
- Near Snoqualmie Pass: Jumping on a snowmobile to confront my inner fears
- Sno-Parks access trails and play areas statewide
- Super-sniffer avalanche pooch to the rescue at Idaho ski area
- Oregon’s Newberry volcanic monument is spectacular in the snow
- Passion still burns for older skiers — and free or discounted lifts don’t hurt
But it’s too early to know the juicy details, he said. Meteorologists aren’t sure “exactly when, exactly where and how much” snow we’re talking here.
“Typically, when you talk about those fine-scale details like that, you’d want to be within 48-72 hours from the event. It’s a little too early,” Johnson said. “Quite a bit can change between now and then.”
Nor is the weather service calling for people to batten down the hatches and buy hot cocoa by the pound.
“Don’t panic, just be aware … It doesn’t mean it could be anything other than flakes in the air or that it will stick,” Johnson said, noting that the ground (and roads) are rather warm for the season.
That could change next week.
Johnson said the forecast calls for the first widespread freeze of the season. High temperatures next week will hover between 35 and 40. Lows at night will get down into the mid-20s.
“It’s going to get quite a bit colder than we’ve seen so far this winter,” he said.
[Related story: White Pass and Mission Ridge join Crystal, Baker and Stevens in opening ski areas]