NWS Issues Winter Storm Watch Friday In The Cascades

SNOQUALMIE PASS, WA — A winter storm watch will go into effect Friday morning for the Cascades, where an early-season snowstorm is expected to bring a few inches of snow to mountain passes.

The National Weather Service adjusted its outlook Thursday, reducing the amount of forecasted snow in Snoqualmie and Stevens passes. In a briefing Thursday morning, forecasters noted increased uncertainty in the storm system's track, and a higher likelihood for more rain than snow in Snoqualmie and less snow overall at Stevens.

The latest projections show 2 to 3 inches of accumulation for Snoqualmie and 6 to 8 inches in Stevens by early Saturday. Snow levels are like to be at their lowest elevations, about 2,000 feet, Friday morning.

The updated outlook shows a 20 to 30 percent chance for a dusting of snow in foothill communities, with virtually no chance for snowflakes in the lowlands Friday. Up to half an inch of rain is possible across the region Friday into early Saturday before the skies clear up for an especially chilly weekend.

The forecast for the season's first freeze and frost largely remains on track, with Sunday and Monday mornings likely to be the coldest in the group. Overnight lows across Puget Sound will be below freezing for most, and potentially a couple of degrees higher in Seattle.

Related: Washington Winter Outlook: NOAA Predicts Wetter, Cooler Season