Meteorologists Track Potential New Year's Weather Impacts

SEATTLE, WA — It looks like we may be welcoming 2020 amid some wetter-than-usual weather in Western Washington. The National Weather Service is tracking a series of storms approaching our region, forecast to bring mountain snow and lowland rain between New Year's Eve and Saturday.

NWS Seattle said the main impact of the weather system is likely to be hazardous travel conditions over the mountains beginning Tuesday. Slick roads caused by prolonged rainfall may also affect travel in the Puget Sound lowlands. Early models show the first system moving through our area New Year's Eve into New Year's Day, followed by a potentially stronger storm from Thursday into Friday. The second storm may bring heavier rain and mountain snow along with windy conditions.

Tuesday & Wednesday

The first wet weather system is expected to move through the area Tuesday, bringing snowfall to high elevations (5,000 - 5,500 feet), and breezy, rainy conditions to the Puget Sound lowlands. Active weather is forecast to continue into Wednesday, with snow levels dropping to around 3,000 feet by Wednesday night. Forecasts show some of the heaviest periods of mountain snow between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, allowing for 12 to 18 inches of new snow at Stevens Pass, and 1-2 inches at Snoqualmie Pass.

Thursday & Friday

The National Weather Service expects Thursday will bring in a stronger system, with conditions looking wetter and cooler than the first storm. Some rivers may approach flood stage and avalanche dangers could increase in the mountains as snow levels continue to fall until Friday night.

Next Weekend

Meteorologists said the details on a third system headed our way are still a little uncertain, but there is a possibility snow levels could fall as low as 1,000 feet Saturday and Sunday. According to NWS Seattle, lowland snow does not appear in the cards at this point, but that outlook may change as conditions evolve through the week.

The Climate Prediction Center's Precipitation Outlook shows fairly good odds for above-normal precipitation levels during the first five days of the New Year.