Winter roars back with rain, wind, snow, cold

Winter is not done with Western Washington.

A "vigorous" cold front moving into Western Washington Friday evening "will bring a combination of rain, wind and heavy mountain snow through Saturday," the National Weather Service said.

Expect rain below 1,000 feet and snow above on Saturday, with snow levels possibly lowering to near sea level by Sunday, the Weather Service predicted. Seattle temperatures should get down to 42 Friday night, 38 Saturday and 32 Sunday.

Mountains will likely get 1 to 2 feet of snow, with up to 3 feet in places Saturday night, the Weather Service said. Strong winds and drifting snow will make passes difficult, and avalanche danger high.

"A lot of action coming up, including a good chance that some lowland folks will spot a few snowflakes. (Note to TV stations: no big lowland snowstorms!!)," University of Washington meteorologist Cliff Mass wrote in his blog.

But he notes that Sunday will present us with an interesting day, as colder air comes down from the Frazer River Valley.

"We don't have much skill in getting the exact distributions of the snow in such a case and the temperatures are a bit marginal," Mass continued. "Considerable uncertainty in distribution and amounts over the lowlands. But some of you will see the white stuff at or near sea level. And protect delicate plans and animals on Monday morning...it will be chilly."

The National Weather Service has posted a winter storm warning for the west slopes of the Cascades and passes until 6 p.m. Saturday.

There is a flood warning Friday for the Green River at Auburn, where minor flooding is expected.

Pierce and King counties are also under a flood watch. The National Weather Service says there could be some flooding on the White River if more water is released from the Mud Mountain Dam.

Monday is expected to be dry, with a cool, wet rest of next week.

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