Colder period ahead with possibility of light snow scattered across the western lowlands

news7g12/16/2022

2 2 minutes read

Colder period ahead with possibility of light snow scattered across the western lowlands

The past month has been significantly colder than usual in the region, with eastern Washington being particularly chilly. The coldest air of the season will arrive on Sunday.

To get you in the right mood, check out the chart of our daily temperature difference from normal over the past month (see below). Eastern Washington was cold, with temperatures 6-12 F below normal, while western Washington temperatures 2-6 F below normal.

This contrast will be even more dramatic in the coming days.

It is interesting to note that electrical power demand increases as temperatures cool, and hydroelectricity is providing most of the power (see recent Bonneville stats below). Renewable energy (solar, wind) provides very, very little. The important thing is that when we need the most energy (when it’s very hot and very cold) wind power is usually very scarce in our area.. One reason why I am so supportive of the development of nuclear energy core.

Our region will be moderately cold and dry through Saturday.

But on Sunday afternoon through Monday morning, cold air and high pressure will push British Columbia south, as illustrated on the surface chart at 4 a.m. Monday. (below). The lines represent sea level pressure and the colors represent temperatures at about 2500 ft above the surface. Blue, purple, brown, and white are cold enough to have snowfall.

Northwest Washington and eastern Washington were the coldest in our state at the time. Fiercely cold on inland BC and east of the Rockies.

Below are the forecast temperatures at SeaTac Airport for the coming week based on NOAA/National Weather Service NBM predictions (using multiple models and data sources). Monday and Tuesday will have highs reached only in the mid to over 30s and lows in the 20s.

What about Eastern Washington? MUCH colder. In Pasco, for example, temperatures will fall around the teen years at night and single numbers will be common.

What about snow?

This incoming cold air will not have much moisture (sorry guys).

The first chance will be on Sunday when the cold front pushes south. Here’s the forecast for total snowfall through Sunday at 4pm. Some snow in the mountains and eastern WA, but only sporadic snowfall west of Washington. Bellingham, San Juans and the northeast of the Olympics are the best options.

Snowfall from the lower resolution Central Europe model (for the 24 hours ending at 4 a.m. Monday) suggests the possibility of a band of snow in the converging region on Puget Sound….but none. what’s dramatic. Some previous models had predicted a second wave of snowfall, but most are pulling back.