Seattle residents, keep those umbrellas handy and the winter coats within reach. According to a tweet from NWS Seattle, the city continues to experience widespread rain, with the heaviest precipitation expected to subside later this afternoon. However, don't put those rain boots away just yet; additional showers are forecasted to hit the town late tonight into Tuesday. Any lingering hopes for a white cityscape are being washed away with each rainfall, despite only a trace of snow being recorded in mid-January.
Radar Update (10:15 AM PST): Rain continues to fall across most of the region (some snow in the passes). The heaviest of the precip will wrap up late this afternoon. Additional showers are expected late tonight/Tuesday.#wawx pic.twitter.com/32ZvPa2Ofc
— NWS Seattle (@NWSSeattle) January 22, 2024
Winter enthusiasts in Seattle can take comfort in the fact that the city usually gets about six inches of snow each season, especially in February, which is historically the coldest month. According to meteorologist Kristin Clark, there's still plenty of winter ahead for those who love lowland snow. However, the current weather situation in the Pacific Northwest is quite different. Instead of cold and snowy conditions, the region is experiencing a warm, rainy pattern that is expected to persist until Groundhog Day. Clark's forecast indicates a shift to scattered showers during the evening commute, and mountain passes may see a mix of rain and snow, creating a slushy landscape at higher elevations. The warmth is not letting up, as a mild moisture surge from the next Pacific storm is predicted to raise snow levels to around 7,000 feet by the weekend.
Clark further delineates the weekend's weather narrative, painting an all too familiar damp picture. The city is set to witness widespread rain Saturday morning, mercifully easing by the evening. Yet Sunday does not promise respite, with steady rain slated to douse the Olympic Peninsula and areas north of Everett. The forecast suggests a heavy inundation of rain to hit Vancouver Island, while the Puget Sound remains in a slightly less sodden state, enjoying warmer southerly winds with temperatures flirting near the 60-degree mark come Monday afternoon.
Seattle, often draped in a misty embrace, has faced a particularly warm embrace this time around, much to the dismay of those yearning for a blanket of snow. With KOMO News highlighting that by the time we reach next week, the steady rain will have decidedly set the stage for a season reluctant to conform to the crisp chilliness traditionally embraced. What remains certain is, amidst this symphony of showers and unseasonable warmth, the city’s heart beats to the rhythm of an ever-unpredictable nature.
