Cooler, Wetter Weather Headed For Puget Sound: Forecast

SEATTLE — A flash of springlike weather will give way to some rain in the coming days, and temperatures are on track to dip into the chillier side, with even a chance for some lowland snow flurries developing next week.

Afternoon highs Thursday flirted with 60 degrees for some but may drop into the mid-40s by early next week, with overnight lows around Seattle getting close to freezing, according to the National Weather Service.

Rain was due to return by Thursday night, with off-an-on showers lingering through Friday before a brief but cloudy break arrives Saturday. Rain chances pick up again Sunday afternoon, with wet weather on tap through at least Monday, according to the latest forecasts.

As temperatures tumble further, early forecasts show some chance for a rain/snow mix during the overnight and early morning hours Tuesday and Wednesday. Forecasters are still working out the specifics, and so far do not expect significant lowland impacts, but said there may still be a chance for a few snowflakes.

"Snow levels are likely to remain below [1,000 feet] through this period with temperatures Tuesday night and Wednesday falling into the low to mid 30s," wrote Carly Kovacik, lead forecaster at NWS Seattle. "Any lingering moisture during the overnight and early morning hours may fall as light snow or a rain/snow mix but with highs in the 40s during the daytime hours and good agreement amongst [models] in another ridge building towards the area, this does not look like any noteworthy lowland winter event."

Winter could still have some surprises in store before the seasons change, and long-range climate outlooks continue to favor colder, wetter weather across Washington and much of the West into early March.