Snow Chance

Well there is a lot to talk about today so lets just get started. First things first, after yesterday's round of Severe Thunderstorm Warnings and very gusty winds around much of Western Washington, and thousands of people losing power, we have calmed down considerably overnight. Some gusts in the Northwest Interior and over on the coast reached 60-70mph while the 520 floating bridge hit 46mph and Magnolia and the UW hit 44mph for top gusts. The chance for some strong, sudden gusts will continue through today. The National Weather Service issued a Special Weather Statement for the possibility of some strong thunderstorms moving across the area today. They could bring, heavy rain, hail, gusts to 45mph, and also cold-air funnel clouds (not something to worry about, but a great sight to see in the clouds. In the midwest, this is the beginning of a tornado).

A low pressure system just spinning off our coast is what's sending us this very unstable air and it will continue to park itself off the coast until Wednesday morning when it moves inland. An upper-level system will be moving over us by Wednesday as an upper-level ridge set up in the eastern Pacific. This pattern is a LA-NINA pattern! She has finally shown her face this winter. This brings all our systems from the North or Northwest instead of the Pacific ocean. These systems bring with them very cool air from the Gulf of Alaska. One of these systems will be moving through on Thursday morning and thats when we begin flirting with the chance of snow. Right now, it looks as if the snow level will be right around 500ft so some of the higher hilltops could see some snow and some heavier showers could bring the snow down to the sea level mark for the puget sound area. This will be a tricky situation because small changes could mean snow for everyone or no snow for anyone.

You'll start noticing this afternoon some cooler air moving in. Highs today will be in the mid 40s and by the weekend, we may not be getting out of the 30s for afternoon highs. Never doubt that Winter is over in January here in the Pacific Northwest.

It may be a little early but it looks like the overall pattern keeps us in this limbo with snow through the weekend.

I'll keep you updated on anything new coming out today.