After power outages and stormy weather on Monday night, Lewis County residents can expect calmer — and colder — weather for the remainder of the week, with the possibility of snow in the lowlands through the weekend, according to National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologist Carly Kovacik.
Kovacik told The Chronicle colder weather was expected to arrive Wednesday and Thursday with temperatures “noticeably colder than the last few nights.”
As the week progresses, high temperatures are predicted to stay below 40 degrees with some lingering showers and a potential dusting of snow in some areas, with more at higher elevations such as in East Lewis County. On Thursday, temperatures may drop into the low 20s or teens at night. Kovacik said temperatures will likely reach near 40 degrees on Friday. Heavier precipitation accompanied by slightly warmer temperatures is expected to resume over the weekend, beginning with either snow or a snow or rain mix before transitioning into rain.
In the mountainous areas of East Lewis County, Kovacik said snow that began on Tuesday could continue on Wednesday and Thursday. Two to four inches of snow were expected to fall on Wednesday and Thursday, with higher amounts closer to Mount Rainier.
According to Kovacik, the area can expect “generally drier” weather toward the end of the week.
The NWS is predicting moderate weather risk levels on Thursday and Friday, based on the potential impact of predicted weather. Minor weather risk is expected for the weekend.
Kovacik told The Chronicle the cold weather expected this week is unusual for this time of year. While local temperatures have usually been around 50 degrees around this time in recent years, temperature highs are expected to be around 15 degrees cooler this week on average, reaching only the mid- to high-30s.
“That’s pretty uncommon this late in the season,” Kovacik said.
She added the recent stormy weather and expected cold weather are a result of a low pressure system moving south from Canada, bringing some strong storm systems to the U.S.
According to Kovacik, people should be prepared for the cold weather and should take precautions to keep warm.
“The main theme for this week is just going to be the colder air moving in,” she said.
