There’s nothing special about today’s forecast: Expect a high near 44 degrees, rain showers and westbound winds between 10 and 16 miles per hour, with gusts up to 22 mph.
Special might not be the word, but the rest of the week won’t be typical: “It now appears increasingly likely that the Pacific Northwest will see the arrival of a very cold air mass this next week that has the potential to set new record temperatures across many areas,” wrote Columbian blogger Steve Pierce.
The mass is expected to start its pass through the area Wednesday. Up to an inch of accumulation is possible in low elevations Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.
A Winter Storm Watch goes into effect Wednesday afternoon. Here’s the rest of the week’s forecast:
Wednesday: Rain before 10am, then snow. Snow level 700 feet lowering to 200 feet. High near 38. West southwest wind around 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.
Wednesday Night: Snow. Low around 29. West southwest wind 8 to 14 mph becoming south southeast. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.
Thursday: Snow showers. High near 36. East southeast wind between 5 and 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
Thursday Night: A 40 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 37.
Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28.
