Latest Snow Chances: 'Very Cold' Temperatures In Seattle Next Week

SEATTLE — The National Weather Service on Friday outlined its latest thinking on the increasing potential for very cold temperatures developing next week, along with early probabilities for low-elevation snow around the Seattle area.

Temperatures Monday and Tuesday look to say more seasonal, with highs in the mid-40s to low 50s, while a wetter system brings heavier snow to the mountains and widespread rain to the lowlands.

A blustery blast of arctic air will be close behind, sending afternoon temperatures down into the 30s through the rest of the week. The latest forecasts show Thursday as the coldest day in the stretch, with afternoon highs struggling to break out of the mid-30s and overnight temperatures in the low 20s.

Even as snow levels plunge toward sea level Tuesday night and beyond, the National Weather Service said the signal for precipitation lessens, limiting the likelihood of a significant snowfall event. But with temperatures running much colder than normal, there will still be a chance for some snowflakes, particularly around midweek.

"[Models] are highlighting the time frame of Tuesday night into Wednesday for the best chance of lowland snow," said Kayla Mazurkiewicz, an NWS Seattle meteorologist. "Mostly all model guidance are showing very little snow accumulation, maybe a half of an inch to an inch at best. With that thought, there is a lot of spread and uncertainty this far out - so amounts could definitely change as we get closer. The upper level low will continue to shift southward on Thursday and pull away from our region taking the snow showers with it."