Wind, ice, dangerous weather conditions in western WA

Serious weather conditions are engulfing western Washington as impending travel challenges are on the horizon.

A Winter Storm Advisory has been issued for the entire area through late Friday. Temperatures will dip into the teens and single digits tonight. Wind chills will be below zero in some pockets.

Prepare for dangerously low temps, ice storm across Puget Sound

The National Weather Service in Seattle reports winds as high as 50 mph are striking parts of the region.

Freezing rain will move in tonight creating even more dangerous travel conditions.

🥶🌧️🧊 FREEZING RAIN UPDATE!
Here’s the latest freezing rain ice accumulation animation for this evening thru SUN AM. We’re very concerned about the FRI AM commute across the Puget Sound & pass travel. That said, ice accumulation will be possible anywhere in western WA. #wawx pic.twitter.com/YzLS3jVDbJ

— NWS Seattle (@NWSSeattle) December 22, 2022

Freezing rain does not happen often west of the Rocky Mountains, according to KIRO Newsradio meteorologist Ted Buehner. “But when it does, we have all kinds of issues.”

Important Info:

Freezing rain creates a dangerous coating of ice on the roads, trees, and power lines. Although some may begin as snow, our primary concern is from freezing rain potential, with widespread impacts tonight through at least midday Friday. #WAwx https://t.co/BR7fsRJRYD pic.twitter.com/YiaLWACr26

— NWS Seattle (@NWSSeattle) December 22, 2022

According to the KIRO 7 weatherblog:

East wind will increase and wind chill will be very low closer to the Cascade Foothills ahead of this system. The rest of the area will be mainly dry until late, when moisture moves in from south to north late tonight into early Friday. Highs will be very cold in the mid-20s.

The weather event is a snow and ice event similar to (but not lasting as long) as what we experienced way back in January 2012. I expect significant impacts to road and air travel across the area with the worst of the weather for Western Washington late Thursday night through early afternoon Friday.

Some light to moderate snow will move in at the coast and into Western Washington Thursday evening though with the dry air in place, we might not have major impacts from snow until overnight for much of Puget Sound.

Multiple crashes are being reported in the metro Seattle area, and sideroads are all but unpassable.

The passes continue to have on-and-off issues and authorities are advising drivers not to even attempt the route until Friday afternoon.

I-90 shut down for most of Thursday near North Bend due to weather conditions

Flights are being canceled and delayed at Sea-Tac Airport. Officials advise giving yourself 2-3 hours to get through traffic and security lines. Check with carriers before you leave.

This is a developing story, Check back frequently for updates.