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Robert Frank, City Editor frank@heraldnet.com

If you've got snow, it won't stick around

An unusual early spring storm catches some off guard.

By Jackson Holtz, Herald Writer

It may be springtime but there's a good chance that blooming daffodils could be dusted with snow this morning.

As much as an inch of snow may accumulate in the lowlands of Snohomish County and that could make for a tricky morning commute, said Dennis D'Amico, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Seattle.

"If an inch does materialize, it doesn't take much to mess things up around here," D'Amico said.

There's also a potential for a convergence zone to set up over the Everett area, which could dump even deeper snow.

Heavier accumulations were predicted on higher hills and in the eastern parts of the county, he said.

The snow likely will melt away as temperatures are expected to rise into the 40s today.

On Wednesday, it was snowing on U.S. 2 at Stevens Pass and traction tires were advised. The highway remained open throughout the day. On I-90 at Snoqualmie Pass, a series of accidents forced officials to close the freeway for several hours.

Last year, more than 2 inches of snow fell as late as April 2 in many parts of Snohomish County.

In 1968, more than half a foot of snow fell in mid-April in Everett. Trace amounts of snow are normal in the region as late as the end of April, forecasters said.

"Snow in late March is unusual but not rare," said Chris Burke, a weather service forecaster.

Temperatures for the remainder of the week were expected to remain unseasonably low. They're not expected to get much above 40 and could dip below freezing at night.

By the weekend, things should begin to slowly warm up again, Burke said.

"There's a slow warming trend beginning on the weekend," he said.

And there may be some sunshine, or in the words of the forecaster: "There's less of a chance of showers."

Reporter Jackson Holtz: 425-339-3437 or jholtz@heraldnet.com.