That photo was tweeted by @missmisti as snow showers moved through West Seattle this morning – big fluffy flakes for a while. More are on the way, according to the National Weather Service‘s newest regional alert – another Winter Weather Advisory, for 10 pm tonight through 10 pm Tuesday night. The heart of it:

Snow showers expected. Total snow accumulations of a trace to 2 inches for most locations. Isolated areas may receive 2 to 3 inches where heavier or more persistent snow showers develop. … The heaviest snowfall may occur between 6 to 10 AM Tuesday, which could affect the Tuesday morning commute.

Though the snow we got early this morning – covered here – wasn’t deep, it was wet, so you might find post-snow problems today such as that fallen tree branch near 50th/Dakota. (Thanks to Nancy for the photo.) While the snow has stopped for now, and the “winter weather” alert has expired, the National Weather Service warns that snow showers are possible at times during much of the week ahead. For now, though, the sun is emerging, and the streets that got an overnight coat of snow are now just wet/slushy. The meltoff should continue with a high forecast in the 40s. Meantime, we’ve had one calendar-event cancellation so far today – the vaccination pop-up at OLG – and we’ll continue updating the daily preview with any other changes we find out about.

(Newest images from ‘live’ SDOT cameras, above and below)

1:04 AM: After rain and wind, we’re noting that the weather has transitioned to snow. Definitely the wet snow the National Weather Service had predicted (in its Winter Weather Advisory), though, because it’s audible. The temperature has dropped steeply, too – 39 two hours ago at Boeing Field, 32 now.

1:22 AM: City crews are out – we’ve heard one of the trucks rattling past the nearest two-arterial corner.

–Here’s the map you can check to see what’s been plowed/treated.

–Here’s the map with citywide traffic cams.

–Here’s the page with our breakout of West Seattle (and vicinity) cameras.

1:51 AM: Crash reported on the westbound West Seattle Bridge near the Delridge offramp.

2:53 AM: David just texted this photo of his snowy yard at 44th and Charlestown:

3:25 AM: Though city crews are out, cameras still show snow on arterials – and we have this pic of 47th/Admiral from CW:

The forecast still calls for this all to end later this morning, so crews will eventually catch up with the main roads/highways. It’s dangerous right now, though – on southbound I-5 at Holgate, responders are at the scene of a crash in which SFD says two people have been killed.

3:53 AM: SFD just ordered all units to chain up.

7:15 AM: The snow has stopped in the past few hours and the melt-off is audible.

(Photo by James Bratsanos)

After another day with The Olympics and other snow-covered mountains on full display, will we see snow down here? As of 6 pm, we’re under a Winter Weather Advisory alert that’s in effect until 10 am tomorrow. It’s brief: “Wet snow expected. Total snow accumulations of up to two inches.” If you notice the snow starting, please let us know – text our hotline, 206-293-6302 – thanks!

(Photo by James Bratsanos)

Chilly but beautiful today – snow-coated mountains in view in all directions. Now that the afternoon forecast updates are in, we’re checking on the latest prospects for weekend snow down here.

(Photo by Jerry Simmons)

The National Weather Service‘s “forecast discussion” says Saturday night brings the first possibility, but it’s not a sure thing – “the most likely scenario for most of the area is an inch or less of new snow.” That includes us here in the city. Then on Sunday night, the NWS says, “Snow levels look to fall to close to sea level again Sunday night as a surface low associated with the upper low switches low level flow back to northerly. It does not look to be a widespread lowland snow event but local accumulations cannot be ruled out.” With an unsettled week ahead, that might not be the last chance, so while it’s too soon to get excited/worried, be ready.

ADDED EARLY SATURDAY: The late-night version of the “forecast discussion” still predicts some snow Saturday night/early Sunday: “Lowland snow is now expected during this time, but there is a lot of uncertainty with respect to how much.” Watch here for alerts.

(Added 5:30 pm: Photo by Jerry Simmons)

2:13 PM: You’ve probably noticed it’s windy, as forecast. But now the National Weather Service says it’s likely to continue at “Wind Advisory” alert level until early Tuesday. Just updated a few minutes ago, the alert is in effect until 6 am tomorrow and says “southwest winds 20 to 35 mph with gusts up to 55 mph expected.” (If you have power, tree, etc. trouble, once you’ve alerted the authorities – 206-684-3000 for power, 206-386-1800 for road hazards like fallen trees – please let us know, 206-293-6302 text or voice – thank you!)

ADDED 6:41 PM: The southwest winds made for big waves at Constellation Park – Dene Miles tweeted some video viewable here. Also note that one more weather alert is in effect, a “Coastal Flood Advisory” for 4 am-10 am Tuesday, with a baseline-predicted 12.7-foot high tide just after 6 am, and the weather possibly still unsettled then.

(Tonight at sunset – photo by David Hutchinson)

7:02 PM: Will those clouds bring snow? Or maybe these?

(Tonight at sunset – photo by James Bratsanos)

Here’s the latest on tonight’s possibility, from the National Weather Service:

Rain showers, snow showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms in the evening, then a slight chance of rain and snow showers after midnight. Snow level near 500 feet, decreasing to 100 feet after midnight. Snow accumulation up to 1 inch. Lows in the upper 20s to mid 30s

Please let us know if you see snow – texting our hotline, 206-293-6302, is always fastest!

7:07 PM: Literally two minutes after we published this, thunder began. Hearing it again now as we type. And people are reporting ice/hail/graupel too.

(Added: Photo from Lacey in North Admiral)

7:22 PM: Thanks for the texts from all around the peninsula! Lightning too (which we also noted here in Upper Fauntleroy).

7:46 PM: If you didn’t get to see the graupel/hail/ice – Christopher Boffoli sent this video:

9:57 PM: And thanks to Michael Heavey for sending dashcam video of a lightning bolt lighting up the sky:

Thanks to Lynn Hall for tonight’s sunset photo! We’re continuing to watch the forecast for the week ahead – and a bit of snow is still mentioned as a possibility tomorrow night and overnight Wednesday into Thursday. Nothing major, but worth keeping on your radar. (Last year, we saw a little snow well into spring, in April!) Also noted in the current forecast – possible thunderstorms Monday afternoon/evening.

Thanks to Troy Sterk for the photo of tonight’s pastel sunset, following a day with a generous amount of sunshine. Next week, the forecast suggests, we might see a bit of snow – the ever-popular “wintry mix” is a possibility late Monday night and early Thursday. We’re still running behind normal rainfall, by the way – the four inches we’ve seen since the first of the year is just a little more than half of what’s normal.

As Marc Milrod‘s photo shows, we had clouds to the east this evening, while the sky was mostly clear to the west. Right now, though, icy showers are moving through (as in graupel/hail/sleet/”chunky rain”). The forecast didn’t call for a wintry mix, but it does suggest tonight’s low might dip below freezing.

Thanks to Lynn Hall for the photo of tonight’s layered pink sunset. It gives us the chance to mention something heartening if you’re not a fan of the short, dark days of early winter … Thursday is the first day this year that the sun will set after 5 pm (5:01 to be exact). Only eight weeks until spring!

Thanks to everyone who sent photos of tonight’s deep-pink sunset! The photo above is from Estelle Shives; below, from Brooke Gosztola:

(added) And from Mark Dale, looking toward Vashon and a Fauntleroy-bound ferry:

While today was sunny and dry, the rain is on its way back, according to the National Weather Service, which has issued a trong>Special Weather Statement warning that heavy rain later this week could increase the risk of slides.

(Photo tweeted by @i8iphone)

1:33 PM: Thanks to everyone sending rainbow photos! The wind alert from earlier today has expired but unsettled weather continues – rain squalls, sunbreaks, and still a chance of wind gusts. The rainbows showed up between the squalls.

(Photo by Doug Eglington)

Intermittent rain is forecast for the rest of the day but so far tomorrow’s weather is expected to be sunny!

2:32 PM: The current round of rain has been intense for more than a few minutes. Meantime, thanks to the texter who sent this photo of a tree down across 29th SW near Westwood Village Target:

A blocked public street or path can be reported to SDOT at 206-684-ROAD, or after-hours at 206-386-1218.

The wind’s kicking up, and the National Weather Service has issued a Wind Advisory alert that’s in effect until noon: “Southeast winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 50 mph.”

With a fairly high tide – 12.2 feet – arriving amid somewhat unsettled weather, the National Weather Service has issued a Coastal Flood Advisory alert for Friday morning. The alert will span 3 to 8 am; high tide is at 6:06 am. The NWS explains, “A Coastal Flood Advisory indicates that onshore winds and tides will combine to generate flooding of low areas along the shore.” The current forecast predicts a windy night but it’s expected to calm down by morning,

Thank you to everyone who sent photos of today’s colorful sunrise! Above, Coleman Smith shows us the Mount Rainier view; below, Gene Pavola caught the westward view with the Olympics’ pastel-pink glow:

And one more angle, from Jerry Simmons:

While the sunset’s been getting later for almost two weeks, the sunrise doesn’t start getting earlier for a few more days.