Seattle Weather: January 2012 Snowstorm Could Be Worst Blizzard In Decades (PHOTOS)

Residents of the Pacific Northwest are bracing as Seattle weather will take a turn for the worse tonight. Forecasters are calling for what could be the harshest winter snowstorm in several decades.

Weather.com reports on Seattle's weather, saying a "potential major winter storm" will hit both lower elevations and mountainous areas near the coast beginning Tuesday night, and will move east as far as Montana and the Northern Rockies.

Most of the snow will fall on Wednesday, reports The Seattle Times. Accumulation between six and 14 inches is expected. This means that snowfall could break Seattle's single-day record of 14.9 inches set in 1969.

Even if the storm does not break the record, it could still go down in Seattle weather history by leaving the most snow at Seattle's Sea-Tac Airport since 1985.

Seattlepi.com explains that Seattle can expect warmer weather later on Wednesday. Continued precipitation may turn to rain, and could lead to what meteorologist Cliff Mass has described as "slushmageddon."

Seattle weather, including surprising variations in precipitation between different parts of the city, can be blamed on convergence zones, according to The Seattle Times. The zones occur when "two currents of wind collide at a low elevation" and rise to create more precipitation.

Despite warmer than average temperatures this winter, the midwest tasted its first major snowstorm of the season last week.

Comments

[Eric Cartman777]

11:30 AM on 02/13/2012

Hi people..! I would like to impruve my English...!!HELP me please..and.... I VERY LIKE SEATTLE..!!! Seattle it very good town...!!!

[Eric Cartman777]

11:28 AM on 02/13/2012

Привет Русские есть?.)

[Eric Cartman777]

11:25 AM on 02/13/2012

привет

[Nora M]

06:52 PM on 01/20/2012

Gee, I thought it was going to be a really big storm. In the northeast, 14 inches is just getting started. We can get snow measured in feet.

[maria52]

03:44 PM on 01/19/2012

I live in the Seattle area. Yesterday, took a beautiful (and fast) walk with a dog who was in absolute heaven. (Well, more like she took ME for a walk). Anyway, she pranced and leaped in about 6 inch fresh powdery snow and we spied a snowman. Today, am staying in because a state of emergency was declared by the governor due to snow and ice storm conditions. Skating rink out there. Will enjoy my coffee and look out on the scenery :)

[Jnett74]

10:05 AM on 01/19/2012

Wonderful ice storm to follow up the snow storm.

I'm hoping the power stays on and no trees fall on my house.

[smburwick]

02:10 PM on 01/18/2012

I remember 1978 Feb 6th storm. It snowed for three days in NE.

[Thomas Murphy]

01:48 PM on 01/18/2012

It snow good to be in Seattle today...

[ChillableRed]

01:14 PM on 01/18/2012

I went into work for two hours, but got pinged from the boss (from home) who told me to go home. They sent us home early yesterday as well. I was 1 of 3 people who showed up today. It's weird to see so little traffic out there. Kinda nice, actually! I like paid days off.

[rcpmac]

01:08 PM on 01/18/2012

I'm in Seattle and the snow accumulation downtown is about 2 inches. This would be an average spring day in Minnesota.

[HowietheScreamer]

01:47 PM on 01/18/2012

The differernce being that people in Minnesota know how to drive in the stuff. In Seattle, not so much.

[VioletDatura]

03:37 PM on 01/18/2012

Maybe so, but:

Minnesota = _____________

Seattle = ....../\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\___

See the difference?

I'm a Seattleite, and I live on one of those hills. If I get in my car today, I'm guaranteed a 4 block free-fall, with nothing to stop me but another car or Puget Sound.

[Nora M]

06:54 PM on 01/20/2012

You are right about the hills, but New England has both hills and snow - and ice storms as well.

[thegrrrr8est]

12:11 PM on 01/18/2012

Damn you, Global Warming!

[Thomas Murphy]

01:51 PM on 01/18/2012

Oh, come ON! Everybody KNOWS that all that global warming stuff is a buncha hooey! Get REAL!

LOL
The Republican Party

[VioletDatura]

03:39 PM on 01/18/2012

Currently and more accurately called, "Climate Change" but why worry yourself over the proper verbiage when an old term will do?

[thegrrrr8est]

10:22 PM on 01/18/2012

Sure. Change the verbiage when scientists come screaming out of the woodwork to explain why the original notion is flawed.

You can fool some of the people with that. Those who don't read or don't care. But, I digress. Explain to me how the "climate change" in Seattle is evidence of the earth warming any more than its natural warming and cooling cycles over the centuries?

[Nora M]

06:56 PM on 01/20/2012

The term "climate change" was introduced by the radical republicans who - for financial reasons - want to discredit global warming. Climate change sounds like it is normal; global warming, not so much. No matter what you call it, it is real in its consequences. Just ask Texas about the fires.

[robinohio]

09:50 AM on 01/18/2012

You guys over there in Seattle are making me totally jealous right now. The east coast has had its "snowmageddon" in the past couple of winters, and now you're getting one. I want one here in SW Ohio. We haven't had a huge snowstorm in a while, and instead we're just getting a few snow showers here and there that haven't even totalled 3" for the season. I miss the snow. :(

[Nora M]

06:58 PM on 01/20/2012

Here in New England we just got about 2 inches yesterday and maybe 4-6 on the way tomorrow. I agree with you; I miss the snow. Besides, it refills the aquifers, lakes, rivers, and ponds. It cleanses the earth.

[Jnett74]

09:29 AM on 01/18/2012

Glad I stayed home.

[smburwick]

09:23 AM on 01/18/2012

So enjoy! It's fun!

[n2zyk]

08:05 AM on 01/18/2012

Must be all that global warming.

[pprice9748]

11:49 AM on 01/18/2012

Oh no! global warming... The Universe is warming! Pluto is melting. too much space junk! your comment made me laugh :)