Mother Nature Ready to Throw Weather Kitchen Sink at Snoqualmie Valley, Ending with Frigid Conditions all Week

Update: December 2, 2013, 6AM:  Some weather forecasters says the Snoqualmie Valley (hilltops above 500 feet) could see some light snow this morning – and possible up to 3 inches from about 2-6PM today –  if a convergence zone drifts south and east and the Olympic Mountain rain shadow subsides.  According to weather radars, that convergence zone has formed near Everett and stretches east to Stevens Pass, which is experiencing heavy snow.  Whether or not that zone makes it into King County before fizzling out – only time will tell.  After the slight snow threat, cold air sets in and stays for awhile.  Stay warm!

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

This morning is just a little teaser for what local weather forecasters have been alluding to all week: Mother Nature throwing just about every type of fall/winter weather she can at the Snoqualmie Valley in about a 48-hour time period.

If you haven’t noticed it already, it’s getting somewhat windy by Valley standards.  As of 7AM, Mount Si High School picked up a 39 mph gust and North Bend Elementary recorded a nearly 30 mph gust.  Gusts should stay in this range Sunday into Sunday night say the local weather guys.

Thanks to a rain shadow from the Olympics, the rain hasn’t gotten too bad, but that shadow doesn’t stretch all the way to the Cascades so weather forecasters say the mountains could pick up close to 6 inches of rain before the temperatures drop, turning the precipitation to snow tomorrow, December 2, 2013.

All that mountain rain will put pressure on the Snoqualmie River.  According to the Cliff Mass weather blog, the mountain fed rivers will rise rapidly from about 12PM today through noon on December 2nd.   Yesterday, the National Weather Service Northwest River Forecast Center showed the Snoqualmie River near Carnation making it to 57 feet by tomorrow – and this morning is was at about 46 feet.

After all the rain and gusty winds, temperatures will plummet on Monday as some arctic air begins flowing into Washington – and it looks like that cold air will stick around all week.  Roads could also turn icy on Monday and Tuesday.

Some snow is also possible tomorrow – just slightly.  Forecasters say it will be hit and miss with a possible convergence zone, but definitely not a widespread snow event, as the moisture is making its way out of the area before the cold air makes its way in. High temperatures for the Valley this week will struggle to make it past freezing and night-time lows will be in the teens and 20’s.  If you didn’t already, unhook those hoses!

The National Weather Service has a Flood Watch in effect for the Snoqualmmie River and a Special Weather Statement issued for the area as well.

In a nutshell, today will be around 50 degrees with gusty winds, rain (heavy in the Cascades).  If you are doing holiday traveling, roads could be dicey with the heavy rain expected in the mountain passes, where the rain turns to snow tomorrow.

Monday, daytime high temperatures will occur in the morning and then temperatures will come crashing down, making snow possible later in the day.  IF it snows, forecasters say it will be spotty.  It will stay COLD all week with maybe another snow possibility next weekend.