SEATTLE – Snow flurries are showing up over parts of Western Washington, and light snow is expected to begin in the greater Seattle area between 5 and 6 p.m. Check the latest forecast
KING 5 Meteorologist Jeff Renner says the early part of the evening commute should be unaffected.
"Computer models and other guidance I examine also suggest smaller amounts than appeared likely a few days ago," he said.
"The Puget Sound area will see a trace to 1 or 2 inches, Everett north and the Hood Canal area will get 1-6 inches," said Renner. Sign up for weather and school closure text alerts
Gusty winds near the foothills will limit accumulation in that area to less than an inch, said Renner.
Washington State Department of Transportation officials hope to avoid a repeat of what happened in November when the evening commute lasted into the early morning hours the next day.
"We've got our plow trucks ready, we've got our sand and salt ready to go," said Chris Johnson with the WSDOT.
But Renner says this is a much different situation than the November storm.
"Temperatures fell quickly to the upper teens and low 20s as the snow moved in November and this formed a layer of ice with snow on top," he said. "This time temperatures will be rising during the snowfall, which should keep any snow on the roads as wet slushy snow."
Metro Transit is urging bus riders to prepare by signing up for transit alerts and knowing the snow routing for buses. Check time tables
Metro says before traveling, riders should check www.kingcounty.gov/metro/snow for the most current status of Metro service.
Quick transition to rain
The snow should begin transitioning to rain this evening, especially from Mount Vernon south and near Puget Sound. It could remain as snow all evening north of Mount Vernon, but will begin turning to rain after midnight.
There might be some brief freezing rain possible during the transition from snow to rain throughout Western Washington. It should become breezy late tonight on into Wednesday, which will help to mix out the cold air.
A wet and mild pattern is likely to persist through the weekend and into next week with rain at times and highs in the mid-40s to around 50 degrees.
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