Winter Storm Watch for Whatcom County: Heavy Snow Possible

Urgent - winter weather message National Weather Service Seattle Wa 3:51 am pst Tue dec 16 2008

A Winter Storm Watch remains in effect from late tonight through late Wednesday night for all of Western Washington...

A frontal system will move down over Western Washington from Canada late tonight...and with a very cold air mass still over the region...snow is expected across just about all of Western Washington. A cold upper level low will remain over the area Wednesday night and Thursday. Not all areas will see heavy snow...four inches or more...and the details still remain uncertain. The winter storm watch means heavy snow is possible but not certain.

...Winter Storm Watch remains in effect for all of Western Washington from late tonight through late Wednesday night...

Heavy snow is likely over Western Washington on Wednesday. Three  to six inches are possible in certain areas...including the east Puget Sound lowlands...parts of the Northwest (Whatcom County) and Southwest Interiors mainly near the Cascades...and the inland parts of the Strait of Juan de Fuca area. Snow in these areas will begin in the north late Tuesday night and spread south Wednesday morning. By Wednesday night three to six inches of new snow are possible.

Other areas...including the Seattle metropolitan area and the Kitsap peninsula...could get less snow. Here models show one or two inches are possible. On the coast it is possible that conditions will be warm enough for rain part of the time...or mixed rain and snow. However it is not certain that sub-warning amounts will fall in these areas and the Winter Storm Watch Extends to them as well.

The Cascades and Olympics will also receive heavy snow...with one or two feet of new snow likely from Wednesday through Wednesday night.

Snow levels will be at sea level through much of the event so virtually all of the precipitation will be in the form of snow.

Precautionary/preparedness actions...

Monitor weather forecasts. If you have to travel...today is Likely to be a much better day than Wednesday. Make sure your Vehicle carries traction devices and extra blankets.

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