WEATHER: Region faces disruptive snowfall; local weather expert, National Weather Service issue warnings

Winter weather is disrupting travel and daily life across our region as snow blankets the area, according to local weather expert Michael Snyder of Pacific Northwest Weather Watch and the National Weather Service.

Snyder – who lives in Normandy Park – detailed ongoing and forecasted snow events in a Wednesday morning (Feb. 5) video, warning of slick roads and further snowfall through Wednesday and beyond.

A band of snowfall Wednesday morning caused “a bit of gridlock here across a lot of Western Washington,” Snyder said.

Snow accumulation ranged from light dustings at sea level to heavier snowfall in higher elevations, causing widespread school closures and more.

Snowplows were active across the area, and rollover crashes and traffic delays reported.

The National Weather Service has issued winter weather advisories for regions including Seattle, Portland, and the Cascades. Total snow accumulations of 1–2 inches are expected in most areas, with higher amounts likely in localized bands.

Additional snowfall is forecast for Wednesday night into Thursday, potentially impacting cities like Tacoma, Olympia, and the northern Olympic Peninsula.

Snyder emphasized the challenges of forecasting snow bands in the Pacific Northwest, noting that “models don’t always capture the full picture.” However, he warned that more disruptive snowfall is likely, particularly in higher elevations and along the Interstate 5 corridor.

Looking ahead, Snyder predicted lingering cold weather through the weekend, with additional storms potentially bringing snow to the region early next week.

Residents are advised to prepare for hazardous travel conditions, power outages and monitor updates on our Weather page as well as from local authorities.

Video

Here’s Snyder’s latest forecast video, as of Wednesday morning, Feb. 5, 2025 (subscribe to his Pacific Northwest Weather Watch here):

Winter Weather Advisory Issued

Here’s the Winter Weather Advisory issued by the National Weather Service at 5:01 a.m. on Feb. 5, 2025:

“URGENT – WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE

“National Weather Service Seattle WA
“501 AM PST Wed Feb 5 2025

“Western Skagit County-Everett and Vicinity-Tacoma Area-Admiralty Inlet Area-East Puget Sound Lowlands-Bellevue and Vicinity-Seattle and Vicinity-Bremerton and Vicinity

“Including the cities of Burlington, Pine Lake, Monroe, Lynnwood, Everett, Kirkland, Port Townsend, Mount Vernon, Bonney Lake, Silverdale, Covington-Sawyer-w, Enumclaw, Woodinville, Bothell, Redmond, Sedro-Woolley, Kenmore, Seattle, Marysville, Maple Valley, Newport Hills, Sahalee, Tacoma, Bremerton, Edmonds, Prairie Ridge, and Anacortes

“501 AM PST Wed Feb 5 2025

“…WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM PST THURSDAY…

“WHAT: Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 1 to 2 inches possible.

“WHERE: Portions of northwest and west-central Washington.

“WHEN: Until 10 AM PST Thursday.

“IMPACTS: Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the Wednesday morning and evening commutes.

“ADDITIONAL DETAILS: Snow amounts will be variable across the area. Localized higher amounts are possible under any bands of heavier snow that develop.

“PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS:

“Slow down and use caution while traveling. Prepare for possible power outages.”

Detailed Forecast

Here’s the 7-day forecast from the National Weather Service:

• Wednesday: Snow showers before 1pm, then rain and snow showers. High near 38. Light and variable wind. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than one inch possible. 
• Wednesday Night: Rain and snow showers, becoming all snow after 7pm. Low around 29. Light southwest wind. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible. 
• Thursday: A 40 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 38. Wind chill values between 25 and 32. North wind 3 to 7 mph. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible. 
• Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 24. North northeast wind around 6 mph. 
• Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 36. Light and variable wind. 
• Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of snow showers after 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29.
• Saturday: A chance of snow showers before 4pm, then a chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 37. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Little or no snow accumulation expected. 
• Saturday Night: A chance of rain showers before 7pm, then a chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30.
• Sunday: A chance of snow showers before 4pm, then a chance of rain and snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 38.
• Sunday Night: A chance of rain and snow showers before 10pm, then a chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28.
• Monday: A chance of snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 37.
• Monday Night: A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24.
• Tuesday: A chance of snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 34.

For more information, visit Pacific Northwest Weather Watch or the National Weather Service.