Snow is likely in the Tri-Cities Wednesday morning is forecast to be a cold and wet week, according to the National Weather Service.
A few wet flakes fell Monday afternoon in parts of the Tri-Cities, only to melt quickly. But snowdrops appeared on car hoods and other flat surfaces as the temperature dropped in the dark.
Light snow is possible in the Tri-Cities area on Wednesday.
The weather service is predicting new snow accumulations of less than half an inch in the predawn hours Wednesday in the Tri-Cities.
Rain and snow are possible until mid-morning.
A 40% chance of snow is forecast for Thursday morning, but precipitation could fall as rain in all but the highest elevations of the Triple Cities.
Snow is also possible Friday night and Saturday morning in the Tri-Cities, with snow levels dropping to 600 feet on Saturday. Much of the Tri-Cities is at an elevation of just over 400 feet.
This could be one of those weeks where the Seattle area gets more snow than the Tri-Cities.
The The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for the Seattle area from 1:00 p.m. Tuesday to 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, with up to 3 inches of snow possible in the higher hills of Seattle and nearby communities.
A winter storm watch has been issued for parts of Washington state, including north of Connell, and much of central Washington, including Ellensburg and Wenatchee, from Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday afternoon or evening.
Journey across Washington’s Cascade Mountain Passes will be difficult, with heavy snow forecast Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, the weather service said.
Between 10 and 14 inches of new snow could fall on Interstate 90 at Snoqualmie Pass Tuesday night, and 5 to 9 inches more on Wednesday, the weather service said.
