NORTH SOUND, FEB 13: The North Sound has been in a deep freeze since mid-January, more than four weeks now. More often than not, the transition back to milder, more ‘normal’ weather can be messy.
That transition is currently getting underway. A Pacific weather system is working its way onshore with the center of low pressure moving into Oregon. Moisture from this system will spread north through Western Washington until Friday morning. Yet this moisture will encounter the current cold dry air. Touched a metal door knob or stroked your pet lately and experienced some static electricity?
With the dry air in place, it will take a while for any precipitation to reach the ground. Light amounts of snow will begin to fall by late Thursday across southwest Washington. The snow will struggle to spread further north into the Puget Sound region, yet some light accumulation is likely overnight Thursday into Friday morning. Spotty light freezing rain is also possible.
Expected snow amounts will range from up to three inches in southwest Washington to perhaps an inch for the south sound, Tacoma and Shelton, and a dusting or so from Seattle and Bremerton northward into Snohomish County. Areas further north will likely see no more than flurries.
Low temperatures overnight Thursday will be much more mild than earlier this week with lows mainly in the 30s. With those temperatures and the likelihood of some light snow accumulation, the Friday morning commute will likely be challenging. Road crews will be out pre-treating roadways and clearing snow as needed.
This initial Pacific weather system marks a big overall weather pattern change and will open the door to a parade of milder wet storms. The next weather system is due to spread rain into Western Washington and the North Sound on Saturday and Sunday. High temperatures will rise well into the 40s with lows above freezing.
Heading into next week, more wet weather systems are expected to swing onshore. More ‘normal’ weather will be well underway.
For those with plans to head into or across the Cascades this holiday weekend, anticipate tough winter weather driving conditions. Yet for snow enthusiasts, this change in the weather means fresh snow on the slopes. In fact, a foot or more of new snow is expected by Monday with upwards of two feet or so on the higher peaks including the volcanoes.
Following this more than four-week cold dry mid-winter weather pattern, the lowland rain and mountain snow is really needed. Paine Field, Everett has had only just under an inch of rain so far this year, 17 % of normal. The average precipitation through mid-February is about 5.20 inches.
Bellingham has had close to 3 inches of precipitation this year, only 49 % of normal. In all, Western Washington has had only between about 20 and 50 % of the average for precipitation this year. The change to a wetter weather pattern is clearly needed.
The mountains are also running well behind for snowfall. Snow depths are between 60 and 90% of average with the south Cascades on the high end. The water in the snowpack is only between 67% for the Olympics and north and central Cascades, to just over 100% for the south Cascades. The usual peak of the mountain snowpack is around April 1, leaving only six weeks for the snowpack to catch up to normal.
For those who have enjoyed this dry mid-winter chilly sunshine, it is coming to an end. More ‘normal’ weather with lowland rain and mountain snow is about to return starting this holiday weekend.
