Snow Levels Drop to 500 Feet, Prompting Lowland Wet Snow and Mountain Accumulation
Updated (3 articles)
Rapid Snow‑Level Descent Sets Up Lowland Snow Threat Forecasters project snow levels near 1,500 feet on Wednesday and a plunge to roughly 500 feet overnight into Thursday. The drop allows rain to transition to a wet‑snow or rain‑snow mix down to sea level by Thursday morning. Accumulation at low elevations is expected to be minimal, with only brief, heavy moisture events. [1]
Mountain Snowfall Expected to Surge Under Winter Storm Warning The Cascades remain under a Winter Storm Warning through 4 p.m. Thursday. Models indicate an additional 2‑4 feet of snow in the high country and at least one foot at major passes. The heavy mountain snowfall raises avalanche danger and could disrupt travel on mountain routes. [1]
Coastal High‑Surf Advisory Introduces Separate Hazard High Surf Advisory runs from 10 a.m. Wednesday to 10 a.m. Thursday along the western shoreline. Elevated wave heights are expected to affect beaches and low‑lying coastal infrastructure. The surf advisory is unrelated to the snow threat but adds to overall weather concerns. [1]
Travel Focus Shifts to Slick Roads, Not Snow Accumulation Officials warn drivers that wet snow and rain‑snow mixes will create slippery surfaces on highways and local roads. Because snowfall amounts are low, the primary impact is reduced traction rather than deep drifts. Travel advisories emphasize caution and possible road closures in the lowlands, while mountain passes may face chain‑requirement alerts. [1]
Timeline
Wed Dec 17, 2025 – Winds ease across western Washington, allowing snow levels to drop as a cooler, more seasonal pattern settles; forecasters note that “winds ease, cooler pattern takes hold” and anticipate 5‑10 inches of snow at Snoqualmie and Stevens Pass between Wednesday morning and Thursday morning. [3]
Thu Dec 18, 2025 – An atmospheric river brushes the region, delivering about 0.5 in of rain in lowlands and 1‑2 in of snow in the mountains, with the heaviest totals in the south Cascades and several extra inches of snow in localized convergence zones. [3]
Fri Dec 19, 2025 – A cooler westerly flow from a Gulf of Alaska low brings showers and sunbreaks to lowlands and periodic snow showers to the mountains, keeping snow levels between 2,000‑3,000 ft. [3]
Sat Dec 20, 2025 – The weekend pattern continues with the same cooler westerly flow, maintaining snow levels 2,000‑3,000 ft and producing modest mountain snowfall. [3]
Sun‑Tue Dec 21‑23, 2025 – Weak frontal systems deliver steady rain to lowlands and mountain snow, raising snow levels to 2,500‑3,500 ft; temperatures hover near normal with highs in the mid‑40s and lows in the upper 30s‑low 40s. [3]
Sat Dec 28, 2025 – Light snow lingers in the Puget Sound convergence zone into Saturday morning, producing dustings up to about 2 in in Snohomish and King counties, while Cascades passes collect 10‑14 in of snow. [2]
Mon Dec 30, 2025 – A ridge of high pressure sustains a dry stretch through Monday, but overnight lows plunge into the lower 30s region‑wide and upper 20s in northern areas, prompting dense fog and slick spots near freezing. [2]
Wed Dec 31, 2025 – Forecasters anticipate the next system arriving late Wednesday or Thursday, promising a gradual warming of a few degrees after the dry pattern ends. [2]
Wed Jan 8, 2026 – Snow levels fall to about 1,500 ft across western Washington, setting the stage for low‑elevation precipitation; the National Weather Service warns that “snow levels to drop to around 1,500 feet during the day Wednesday.” [1]
Thu Jan 9, 2026 (overnight) – Snow levels plunge to near 500 ft, enabling a rain‑snow mix or light wet snow down to sea level by Thursday morning, though forecasters expect little accumulation at the coast. [1]
Thu Jan 9, 2026 – The Cascades remain under a Winter Storm Warning through 4 p.m., with an additional 2‑4 ft of snow likely and at least another foot at mountain passes, raising avalanche and travel concerns. [1]
Wed Jan 8‑Thu Jan 9, 2026 – A Coastal High Surf Advisory runs from 10 a.m. Wednesday to 10 a.m. Thursday, bringing elevated waves that compound travel hazards alongside the snow threat; daylight improves later in the month with the first 5:01 p.m. sunset on Jan 26. [1]