Snow in Seattle! Storm dumps anywhere from 1-6 inches in parts of Western Washington

SEATTLE -- A snowstorm swept up Western Washington from Oregon Thursday afternoon and evening, dumping  anywhere from 1 to 6  inches of snow from Chehalis to Seattle and points north.

Freezing rain and showers were expected to follow overnight, however, and wash most of it away Friday.

It was the first "measurable" snowfall to stick and accumulate in the lowlands of Western Washington and Seattle in nearly two years, according to the National Weather Service in Seattle.

But it was a delight to many Washingtonians. Earlier in the day, in Lewis and Thurston counties, adults and children ran out to play in snow and build snowmen and have snowball fights.







The National Weather Service said Seattle, as of midnight, had received 0.8" inch of snow with a water content of just 0.05".

"Pretty fluffy stuff!" it tweeted.



The NWS said the total snowfall in the Washington lowlands in the morning would amount to:

-- 3-5 inches in the Southwest Washington interior; Snow is already turning to rain in Lewis County.

-- 3-6 inches around the Hood Canal area. Turning to rain about 7 a.m. Friday.

-- Around 2 inches in the Tacoma-Seattle-Bellevue-Everett areas. Turning to rain 3-6 a.m.

-- 1-2 inches elsewhere in the interior north of Everett. Turning to rain in the morning hours.



Many local school districts sent students home early Thursday and other canceled afternoon and evening events (full list here). Once the snow began falling, some school districts decided to have two-hour late starts for school Friday.

The snow began falling in Portland Thursday morning. By 1 p.m. the snow had made its way into Lewis and Thurston Counties. The snow didn't start falling on Seattle until about 7 p.m.



A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect until 8 a.m. Friday.



Q13 News Chief Meteorologist Walter Kelley said, "Wintry weather continues overnight. Rain at the coast and a warm 40 degrees is moving this way. That should turn everyone to rain overnight, except Bellingham, Hood Canal and mountains.  Slushy and icy roads will continue through Friday morning commute.

"The ski areas will get several feet through Saturday," he said. "Saturday and Sunday have passing rain showers but the snow level is low, around 1,000 feet. That means the mountains keep snow going all weekend."