Ice Storm Friday, Then Atmospheric Rivers: Puget Sound Forecast

SEATTLE — Relief from the cold is on the horizon, but plenty of active weather is ahead for Western Washington. Freezing rain and ice could make for treacherous travel and lead to power outages Friday morning before very wet weather settles in for the holiday weekend.

"A significant transition in weather will unfold across the area [Thursday night] and into Friday as two different air masses collide," NWS Seattle wrote Thursday. "A frontal boundary is slated to bring an array of precipitation types as conditions look to start off wintry before a gradual changeover to rain as Friday progresses. Then, a series of atmospheric rivers will move through the region this weekend with moderate to heavy rainfall, warmer temperatures, and possible flooding in store."

A winter storm warning is in place until 7 p.m., and forecasters expect potentially significant ice accumulations before temperatures begin to warm. Freezing rain will also be a concern over the mountain passes, which could add another hazard for Christmas travel.

After the threat of freezing rain passes, forecasters said rapidly warming temperatures will coincide with heavy precipitation continuing through the weekend and beyond. As some consolation for all the rain, temperatures will trend slightly above average in the coming days, with afternoon highs reaching 50 degrees on Christmas Day.

New climate outlooks favor warmer, wetter weather for Washington and most of the United States to close out 2022.