Plain snow possible from a pair of Whatcom storms
Residents of Lowland County Whatcom could see their first snowfall of the winter season late this weekend, especially in areas near the Canada-U.S. Border.
The falling snow is unlikely to stay too long, but it could affect the morning commute on Monday December 6.
Colder weather is expected in western Washington and southwestern British Columbia through next week, according to the National Weather Service in Seattle and Environment Canada’s forecast for Abbotsford, B.C. .
Storms are forecast for Friday to Saturday December 3 and 4 and Sunday to Monday December 5 and 6, bringing snow to the mountains and rain or a rain-snow mix to the Whatcom County lowlands around Bellingham .
“A mixture of rain and snow on the plain is possible for both weather systems, but especially from Sunday evening to Monday,” the National Weather Service said in a statement.
“Little or no impact on the roads is expected at this time for most areas, a light coating will be possible on grassy surfaces. There is uncertainty as to any potential snowfall accumulation, but mainly an expected rain-snow mix, â€the statement said.
Environment Canada warned that wet snow with little accumulation was possible from Friday to Saturday for the Fraser Valley and areas above 600 feet elevation in the Vancouver area.
“A low pressure system skimming the south coast will bring a risk of wet snow to the Fraser Valley and Howe Sound. For Metro Vancouver, areas above (600 feet) are more likely to see wet snow, â€Environment Canada said. “Currently, the trajectory of this low suggests a low probability of snow accumulation for this period.”
The meteorological winter began Wednesday, December 1, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s 10-14 day weather forecast calls for below normal temperatures and above normal precipitation.
The odds of a traditional “White Christmas” in the Northwest seem better because of a seasonal weather pattern called La Niña, which can mean a colder, wetter winter, according to AccuWeather, a private forecasting service.
AccuWeather said the Seattle area historically has a 25-50% chance of snow during the Christmas holidays.
“With the La Niña phase in place, areas in the northwest, high plains and interior of the northeast will have a higher than average likelihood of having a White Christmas,” AccuWeather said in a report. published.