KIRO 7 meteorologists have been examining the forecast data and have called for a Pinpoint Alert Day on Friday for the possibility of snowy travel in some lowland spots during the Friday morning commute.
Temperatures will cool later tonight and be in the low to mid 30s by daybreak. Snow levels will generally be around 500 feet, and some minor accumulation of snow (mainly on grassy surfaces) can be expected in locations in the north Sound and north interior, mainly near and above 500 feet.
However, the forecast data we’re watching is pointing to a band of heavier precipitation associated with converging winds just off the surface in the vicinity of the central and south Puget Sound. Heavier precipitation in these colder overnight and morning temperatures could be enough to “drag” the snow level down to nearer sea level by the pre-dawn hours Friday morning.
Focusing on central and south Puget Sound and foothills Friday morning
The spots we’ll be closely watching for a slushy inch of snow accumulation (isolated spots could get somewhat more) will be from the eastern side of the Seattle metro, including the Eastside from Bothell to Issaquah, then south through the South Sound, including Auburn, Tacoma, Maple Valley, and farther south into Thurston County. The best chances of accumulation that sticks around for a bit will still be above 200 feet in elevation, and especially above 500 feet in elevation, but where precipitation is heaviest, snow could briefly accumulate to sea level…