You weren’t seeing things. That was snow falling across the South Sound on Tuesday
It’s no late April Fools’ joke: snow was falling around the South Sound on Tuesday.
“We are receiving reports of snow showers, as well as rain/snow mixes from Olympia through Federal Way this morning,” the National Weather Service in Seattle tweeted.
Twitter users across the region confirmed the news.
Kim Van Vleet tweeted video of snow falling in South Hill.
Flakes were sighted in Gig Harbor, Tacoma, Puyallup, Auburn, Lakewood, Olympia and other locations.
By most accounts, the snow melted quickly at elevations below 1,500 feet.
Areas bathed in sun were later swimming in snow. The unpredictable mix isn’t that unusual for spring in the Pacific Northwest.
FORECAST
The snow-then-sun-then-rain weather is going to stick around into Thursday, said NWS forecaster Mike McFarland.
A cold weather trough, an area of low pressure, is parked over the region. The unsettled and unpredictable spring weather event occurs about every five years, McFarland said.
“Recent springs been rather warm,” he said. “So people who moved here a few years ago don’t know what it’s like.”
The snow shouldn’t hurt any new garden growth or early vegetables, such as peas. But, it’s still too early for many crops.
“If you put tomatoes out, (they are) not gonna make it through this,” McFarland said.
Lows will be in the mid-30s through the week.
The weather is a boon for spring skiing.
“The fresh snow in April is a treat,” he said.
While Saturday will be wet, Sunday could be dry with highs in the mid 50s.
This story was originally published April 12, 2022 at 3:41 PM.
