We’re snow-starved no more.
1.1 inches of wet snow fell at Sea-Tac Airport this morning, snapping Seattle’s nearly two-year-long streak without at least an inch of snow. Although accumulations in the metro area were not as high as originally predicted—most places in the Seattle-Bellevue corridor squeaked by with just an inch, give or take—the snow was enough to turn the landscape unquestionably white.
Having now received more snow this winter than we did all of last—Sea-Tac saw just 0.6 inches in 2012-13, while most of Seattle proper received a dusting at best—we return to good old fashioned rain for the next several days. Temperatures will slowly warm to the mid 40s by late this afternoon as on-and-off showers continue, with a marked drying trend setting in overnight.
Saturday looks largely rain-free yet fairly cloudy, with the mercury staying parked in the mid 40s all day. Another dose of light rain then arrives late Saturday into Sunday as Seattle eases back into a more typical December pattern.
Extended weather models don’t show any more snow in the works, but snow enthusiasts, take heart: history may be on your side. The last four winters in Seattle to record at least one inch of snow before Christmas (2010-2011, 2008-2009, 2007-2008 and 2006-2007) all featured another snow event later on.
So maybe, just maybe, Seattle won’t be snow-starved again for much longer.
Looks like the persistent high pressure rebuilds again later in the week? Are there any historical comparisons to this winter weather pattern where spotty rain is followed by 7-10 days of clear skies?
Yep–more ridging just to our west. We can’t seem to shake it–zonal flow has been almost non-existent this winter. 1978-79 seems like a decent comparison to this winter–a big dry stretch in October, a medium dry spell in November, and then an incredibly dry (and cool) December. January was also very dry too. 2000-2001 was also pretty dry from November through February.