Cold temperatures predicted in Snohomish County early this week

Published 1:30 am Sunday, December 4, 2016

EVERETT — Snow in the lowlands early this week is a possibility.

One thing that seems much more certain is the region could endure colder temperatures than it has had for quite a while.

“It’s going to be by far the coldest we have seen so far this season,” said Josh Smith, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Seattle.

The low temperature for downtown Everett this fall has been 31. Monday night’s low is forecast for 23 degrees, with a low of 25 on Tuesday night. A low of 27 is predicted for Tuesday night at Paine Field.

On Sunday night, there’s a 30 percent chance of snow showers after 10 p.m. A snow accumulation of less than a half inch is possible.

On Monday, snow showers are possible. The chance of precipitation is forecast at 70 percent with up to three inches in some spots. For instance, the hill off of I-5 near Everett Mall Way often gets accumulations where other spots don’t because of the higher elevation and how close it is to the convergence zone, Smith said.

The Weather Service on Saturday issued a four-pronged message for what’s predicted.

It reported 10 to 20 inches of snow are expected in the mountain passes between Saturday and Sunday, with a little less at Snoqualmie Pass.

The colder temperatures should begin to hit on Sunday night and Monday and are expected to linger through mid-week. Black ice could become a challenge during morning commutes.

“Monday evening through Tuesday morning, the air will be cold enough that any snow showers that do occur could cause icy roadways, including the metro areas,” the Weather Service wrote.

A Pacific Storm system is expected to bring warmer air and moisture back to the region by Thursday.

To learn more about cold weather tips and shelters in Snohomish County, go to http://www.snohd.org/weather.

Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446; stevick@heraldnet.com.