Rain, Snow & Much Colder Days Ahead: Puget Sound Forecast

SEATTLE, WA — Active weather is on track to return to Western Washington after a lengthy stretch of calmer, spring-like days, with plenty of rain expected and heavy snow in the mountains forecast this weekend, followed by morning temperatures plunging well below freezing by early next week.

While significant lowland snow is not in the cards, so far, there is a slight chance for some snow mixed in with the rain Monday night, and another shot for some snow Wednesday.

Starting with the weekend, the lower elevations should see increasing rain Saturday and showers continuing through Sunday. Saturday also looks to be breezy for most, with gusts projected in the 25 to 35 mph range.

In the Cascades, Stevens and Snoqualmie passes could pick up between 12 and 18 inches of snow, with the heaviest bands expected during a convergence zone Saturday evening. A winter storm warning will be in place from Saturday morning to Sunday afternoon.

Looking ahead to Presidents Day, temperatures will already be trending cooler, landing in the low 40s in the afternoon and dipping below freezing Monday evening. Tuesday is forecast to be Sunny, but the lack of cloud cover will keep things even cooler, with highs in the 30s and lows deeper into the 20s. Wednesday morning looks to be the coldest in the stretch, with Seattle tumbling into the low 20s — and potentially down into the teens.

The National Weather Service will share updated probabilities on potential snow as next week's forecast firms up, but for now, the colder trend is largely expected to coincide with drier weather.

"A weak system may move through Wednesday/Thursday, with colder air in places, some light snow is possible, but guidance varies if there is any precipitation during this period," NWS Seattle wrote Friday. "The main focus will be the cold temperatures Tuesday-Thursday."

Here is the five-day weather outlook for the Seattle area:

• Saturday: 47°/39° (Rain)
• Sunday: 46°/36° (Rain)
• Presidents Day: 44°/29° (Showers, chance of rain/snow)
• Tuesday: 39°/27° (Sunny)
• Wednesday: 41°/30° (Slight chance of snow showers)