Community Corner

Snow Possible Tonight, Say Forecasters

Accumulation is unlikely, but the National Weather Service warns drivers to take it easy in "Winter Weather" conditions.

Despite the sunshine Thursday, scattered showers could bring a mix of rain and today through noon Friday.

Forecasters with the National Service issued a "Special Weather Statement"Β at 5:21 a.m. advising residents that the snow level would fall to sea level during heavier showers. Rain could mix with snow, despite daytime highs in the 40s.

The best chance for accumulating snow is along the north and central coastline of the state.

Find out what's happening in Mercer Islandwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The local forecast predicts a 50 percent chance of rain this afternoon and half-an-inch of snow could accumulate on hilltops. On Friday, snow or rain is less likely but possible until 10 a.m., and sunbreaks will return for most of the day.

The NWS notice also warned motorists to use caution on area roads over the next 24 hours, due to the possibility of winter weather conditions.

Find out what's happening in Mercer Islandwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The following is Thursday's NWS Special Weather Statement:

521 AM PST THU FEB 17 2011

...SNOW LEVEL TEMPORARILY LOWERING TO SEA LEVEL DURING HEAVY SHOWERS THROUGH FRIDAY...

SCATTERED SHOWERS WILL CONTINUE TO FEATURE A MIX OF RAIN AND SNOW DOWN TO SEA LEVEL THROUGH FRIDAY ACROSS WESTERN WASHINGTON. DESPITE MAXIMUM TEMPERATURES CLIMBING INTO TO THE LOWER TO MID 40S THURSDAY AND FRIDAY...THE AIR MASS IS COLD ENOUGH ALOFT TO SUPPORT SNOW TO THE SURFACE DURING HEAVIER SHOWERS.

FROM LATER THURSDAY MORNING THROUGH MIDDAY FRIDAY...THE BEST CHANCES FOR ACCUMULATING SNOWS WILL BE ALONG THE NORTH AND CENTRAL WASHINGTON COAST...ESPECIALLY HIGHER HILLS AND A BIT INLAND...WHERE SHOWER ACTIVITY WILL BE THE MOST PRONOUNCED. A DRIER PATTERN WILL START TO TAKE EFFECT LATER FRIDAY AND CONTINUE AT LEAST THROUGH THE FIRST HALF OF THE WEEKEND.

WHILE THE THREAT FOR LOWLAND SNOW ACCUMULATIONS IS LOW...MOTORISTS SHOULD BE PREPARED FOR SHORT BURSTS OF WINTER WEATHER DURING THIS TIME PERIOD.


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