Slim chance for snow to show, stick on Christmas Day

There’s a small chance South Sound residents could see snow Tuesday, though the forecast calls for a wet Christmas rather than a white one.

A Pacific frontal system could bring snow or a snow-and-rain mix to Pierce County’s lowlands and elsewhere in Western Washington on Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.

The snow is expected to turn to rain during the day, but a few inches might accumulate in higher elevations, the Weather Service said Sunday.

The last time the lowlands had a white Christmas was 2008, meteorologists said, adding that there’s a less than 10 percent chance of that happening, though the odds are slightly better this year.

It could be a blustery, snowy holiday for those traveling east. About 6 to 10 inches of snow are expected in the central Cascades, and 4 to 8 inches are predicted for the north Cascades, according to the Weather Service.

Winds between 20 and 35 miles per hour could develop in the Cascade passes, and might reach gusts of 50 miles per hour in areas such as Enumclaw and Buckley.

Anyone heading south of Pierce County should be prepared for heavy snowfall. A winter storm watch said 3 to 5 inches could accumulate in western Lewis and Thurston counties.

alexis.krell@thenewstribune.com