It rarely happens, but this year a white Christmas is possible on the western Washington lowlands, according to the National Weather Service in Seattle.
Historically, there's a less than 10 percent possibility of white Christmas in the western Washington lowlands. The last time it happened was 2008, according to the NWS.
This year, on Dec. 25, a Pacific frontal system has the potential to produce snow or a rain and snow mix on the lowlands as well as more snow in the mountains.
According to the NWS:
THE PRECIPITATION WILL PROBABLY START OFF AS A RAIN AND SNOW MIX ON THE COAST DURING THE EARLY MORNING HOURS OF CHRISTMAS AND SNOW ON THE INTERIOR LOWLANDS CHRISTMAS DAY. SOME INTERIOR LOCATIONS MAY SEE A RAIN AND SNOW MIX TO START AS WELL.
AS WARMER AIR MOVES INLAND DURING THE DAY...EXPECT THE SNOW TO CHANGE OVER TO RAIN. SNOW LEVELS MAY BEGIN AROUND 500 FEET AND RISE TO 1000 FEET OR MORE LATER IN THE DAY. ONE OR TWO INCHES OF SNOW ACCUMULATION IS POSSIBLE IN HIGHER ELEVATIONS PRIOR TO THE PRECIPITATION TURNING TO RAIN.
IN THE MOUNTAINS...6 TO 10 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE IN THE OLYMPICS AND CENTRAL CASCADES WITH 4 TO 8 INCHES IN THE NORTHERN CASCADES. IN ADDITION...STRONG EAST WINDS MAY DEVELOP BELOW THE CASCADE PASSES CHRISTMAS DAY. WINDS MAY REACH 20 TO 35 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH IN AREAS LIKE ENUMCLAW...NORTH BEND...MAPLE VALLEY ...BUCKLEY AND GOLD BAR.
MONITOR THE LATEST FORECASTS...STATEMENTS AND AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ON THIS EVOLVING SITUATION. IF DRIVING ON CHRISTMAS DAY...BE PREPARED FOR THE POTENTIAL OF ADVERSE WINTER WEATHER DRIVING CONDITIONS.
The weather forecast for Woodinville Christmas Eve calls for a 30 percent chance of showers before 11 a.m. It should be partly sunny, with a high near 42 with a southeast wind around 7 mph.
On Christmas Day, there's a chance of rain and snow before 11 a.m., then rain. Snow level 300 feet rising to 800 feet. High near 38. East southeast wind 6 to 11 mph increasing to 13 to 18 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible, according to the NWS.
