First lowland snow dots parts of Western Washington

By Scott Sistek Published: Dec 18, 2012 at 5:26 AM PST Last Updated: Dec 18, 2012 at 5:38 AM PST

Snow falls in Issaquah on Dec. 18, 2012 (Courtesy Twitter user @GordonHee)

SEATTLE -- Some parts of the region awoke to a little snow Tuesday morning as winter gets started a few days early.

Scattered reports of snow were mainly about an inch or less, but Spanaway reported 2-3 inches in some spots. Most of the "snow winners" appeared to be in the South Sound area and in the Cascade foothills.

The snow caused some schools to delay the start of classes (See the full list) and Winter Weather Advisories remained in effect until noon for many areas, including the greater Tacoma, Everett, Port Angeles, Olympia, and the Cascade foothills for an additional 1-2 inches in passing snow showers.

The Seattle Metro area was left outside the advisory as the Olympics Mountains have been blocking much moisture from reaching the heart of the city.

Temperatures early Tuesday morning were just above freezing for much of the region, briefly dropping to around the freezing mark during passing snow showers.

Hit-and-miss snow showers will continue during the morning and then snow levels will rise a bit to around 500 feet in the afternoon as temperatures climb into the upper 30s, allowing the snow to change to a mix or just light rain. Still, a very chilly mid-December day on tap.

More hit-and-miss snow showers will return Tuesday night as we cool off after sunset, but no additional accumulations are expected.

The weather returns to a more familiar rain and wind for Wednesday and then a cool, showery pattern sets up for Thursday into the weekend with high temperatures remaining below normal -- around 40 degrees.

Source: http://www.komonews.com/news/local/First-lowland-snow-dots-parts-of-Western-Washington-183928591.html

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