A Final Shot For Snow Before Weather Gives Way To Warmer Weekend

SEATTLE — Tired of the winter wonderland that has taken over Western Washington? Good news then, because warmer weather is on the way— but not before we get one last chance for snow.

Change was already in the air Thursday, as temperatures in Seattle climbed past 30 degrees after more than four days of sub-freezing temperatures.

Puget Sound residents hoping for anything warmer will have to soldier through Friday, which is expected to remain very cold. Expect highs in the upper 20s to mid 30s, with overnight lows as cold as 15 degrees. Western Whatcom County and San Juan County will see the worst of it, as breezy winds from the Fraser outflow will cause significant windchill and gusts of up to 40 mph.

Saturday should be warmer, but brings with it that final chance for snow in the lowlands.

"A warm front will brush the area Saturday with temperatures warming up to within a couple degrees of normal," NWS Seattle wrote Thursday. "System stalling over the area Sunday and Sunday night before moving southeast Monday."

Unlike the heavier snowfalls earlier in the week, Saturday's snowfall would remain relatively light, appearing in the morning and clearing out by midday— if it materializes at all. Meanwhile, high temperatures will finally warm out of the low 30s to near 40.

Hopefully those warmer temps will be enough to melt some of the iced-over roadways clogging up Puget Sound, but until then, first responders urge drivers to continue with caution. Icy roadways are still causing numerous closures and backups, including the complete shutdown of I-90 from North Bend to Ellensburg midday Thursday. The pass has since reopened, but many others remain closed.

After New Year's, a wetter and warmer Pacific frontal system is due to arrive on Sunday, bringing highs even higher into the lower to mid 40s, effectively ending any "lowland snow threat" the National Weather Service said. Instead, forecasters predict a 90 percent chance of rain, the start of a rainy and cloudy streak that should continue through at least Wednesday.