Weather
Snow Returns To Seattle Area, More Precipitation Incoming Tonight
Snow made an appearance in King and Snohomish counties Wednesday, ahead of more weather expected in Puget Sound through Thursday morning.
SEATTLE, WA — After a band of heavy snow bypassed Seattle and areas south Tuesday night, flurries returned to some lowland areas Wednesday afternoon. Snowflakes fell at a steady clip in Seattle by 2 p.m., but National Weather Service forecasters said accumulation was unlikely. Videos posted on social media showed snow sticking to the roads in some areas, including along Interstate 5 north of Seattle.
Related: Wet Weather Into Thursday, Lowland Snow Less Likely Along I-5
The latest band of precipitation was expected to move through the greater Seattle metro by about 4 p.m. NWS Seattle warned visibility in some areas could be low during the evening commute, due to wind gusts kicking up snow on the roads.
Find out what's happening in Seattlefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Snow levels were generally expected to rise between 500 and 1,500 feet by Wednesday night.
Back edge of the current band of precipitation will be through the metro area in the next couple of hours. Most places in the lower elevations of the metro are 35-38°. In locations where it is a couple of degrees colder there could be a small accumulation before it stops. #wawx pic.twitter.com/MYN34ts5Tl
— NWS Seattle (@NWSSeattle) January 15, 2020
@NWSSeattle @KSeattleWeather currently picking up in Madrona. pic.twitter.com/xUDKHOohja
— Tina Shepard (@shepard_tina) January 15, 2020
Easterly winds continuing into Thursday morning may enhance overnight snowfall amounts on the Kitsap Peninsula and along the Hood Canal while shielding areas along the I-5 corridor.
Find out what's happening in Seattlefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Cities like Port Angeles were hammered by lowland snow overnight Tuesday, where more than 20 inches fell by Wednesday morning.
HIGH WINDS
A High Wind Warning was issued for the East Puget Sound lowlands until 10 p.m. Wednesday. Sustained winds of 30 to 40 mph and gusts between 55 and 60 mph were expected.
Power outages were already being reported around Kirkland, Fall City and North Bend late Wednesday afternoon. You can track the latest impacts via the Puget Sound Energy outage map.
The National Weather Service has issued a high wind warning for our area from 1 to 10 p.m. Wind is forecast at east to southeast at 30-40 mph with gusts of 55 mph. Here are actions you can take: https://t.co/nORYrBvCCz #wawx @SnoqualmieFire @SnoqualmieWAPD pic.twitter.com/vyY2yJwtHK
— City of Snoqualmie (@SnoqualmieGov) January 15, 2020
SNOWFALL POTENTIAL
NWS meteorologists said there is the possibility for periods of snow near the hilltops in some Puget Sound cities, depending on how low temperatures dip overnight Wednesday. Low temperatures were forecast to be right at the margins for freezing. Thursday looks slightly warmer, with afternoon highs approaching the 40s in many areas.
LATEST UPDATES
Blowing snow today near Enumclaw with this next phase of winter weather. A live report on the wind bringing power outages to the area, including one earlier today at Crystal Mountain, on KIRO 7 News at 5:30. pic.twitter.com/35I7MGQlRi
— Graham Johnson (@GrahamKIRO7) January 16, 2020
Report of power out with gusts to 50 mph in North Bend. The high wind warning remains in effect until 10 pm for the Puget Sound lowlands including North Bend and Enumclaw for sustained east to southeast winds 35 to 45 mph with gusts 55 to 60 mph. #wawx
— NWS Seattle (@NWSSeattle) January 16, 2020
It’s an ice rink out there, folks! There’s multiple crashes in Snohomish County right now. Eastbound US-2 is temporarily closed to SR-204 due to the flyover being impassible. #slowdown #drivesafe #bringthesunback pic.twitter.com/t1yKl029My
— Trooper H. Axtman (@wspd7pio) January 15, 2020
18200 Parkway Lynnwood pic.twitter.com/FaeeksLTa4
— Lynnwood Police (@LynnwoodPD) January 15, 2020
#TeamPUD crews continue to work in the #Index area. We’ve been able to allocate additional resources/crews up to the area today & they’ve cleared all wire that was down across Hwy. 2, allowing it to reopen! @wsdot cautions that the hwy could close again depending on conditions. pic.twitter.com/zmHX7md8Ww
— Snohomish County PUD (@SnoPUD) January 15, 2020
Strong snowfall and gusty winds in @SnoCounty making for challenging travel. You may want to get an early start on the evening commute. #WAwx pic.twitter.com/PgEAx4n30T
— Snohomish County DEM (@SnoCo_DEM) January 15, 2020
Strong Winds Expected Today! The Nat'l Weather Service is predicting very windy conditions thru Thurs. Tree damage, new power outages & reduced visibility may impact our region https://t.co/W6CK0bwFmC Report power outages on the PSE mobile app or visit https://t.co/qt4jACCTz2 pic.twitter.com/gKR7bkO6s0
— City of Redmond (@CityOfRedmond) January 15, 2020
Visibility for the first part of the commute could be as low as 1/2 a mile with the wind blowing the snow around. Be safe on your way to your destination this afternoon. #wawx
— NWS Seattle (@NWSSeattle) January 15, 2020
Currently in Seattle pic.twitter.com/FQa21GSiXf
— LisaBaumann (@LisaBaumann) January 15, 2020
It's really coming down in Bothell right now and sticking. Roads are already a mess. pic.twitter.com/up5YXB3vzO
— John Hopperstad (@JohnHopperstad) January 15, 2020
@Q13FOX this is what is happening in South Everett right now. pic.twitter.com/R6ApPSiVRg
— Tiffany (@TiffyAJ79) January 15, 2020
Right now we are getting blasted with snow here in Downtown Seattle! pic.twitter.com/IETEdndBld
— Preston Phillips (@PrestonTVNews) January 15, 2020
The snow is still coming down in some parts of the county. Deputy Iverson with our Transit Police Unit just captured this video near I-5 in Lynnwood. Drive slow. Leave extra space. Turn on your headlights. #wawx #wasnow pic.twitter.com/u9ry2lxURp
— Snohomish Sheriff (@SnoCoSheriff) January 15, 2020
If your commute takes you north of Seattle, lots of snow is falling and even starting to accumulate on I-5. Be ready, slow down and take it easy. pic.twitter.com/eBkB6dgv6Z
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) January 15, 2020
@KSeattleWeather @NWSSeattle @seattledot @kcmetrobus just started sticking in LQA pic.twitter.com/wZVcrb77zY
— Bus Bae City Chick (@jazzyspraxis) January 15, 2020
Be careful this afternoon on the roads! Band of heavy snow moving through Puget Sound. Will taper after 4pm most areas but quick whitening of road surfaces could cause problems. #wawx #wasnow RADAR: https://t.co/JYMeqSjIat pic.twitter.com/QxzkZIDprh
— Morgan Palmer (@MorganKIRO7) January 15, 2020
Snow is now sticking to the roads in downtown Seattle. pic.twitter.com/2CKfBSJQiN
— Seattle Weather Blog (@KSeattleWeather) January 15, 2020
Snow started sticking in Ballard about 15 minutes ago. The street, sidewalks and driveway were clear till then. @KSeattleWeather @NWSSeattle pic.twitter.com/zK1DehvHBR
— Den McHenry (@DenMcH) January 15, 2020
Snow coming down pretty good in Central Kitsap. @KSeattleWeather @NWSSeattle pic.twitter.com/uzrqo6Eorj
— David Cole, AIA (@DavidColeAIA) January 15, 2020
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