Tracking a rain and a few flurries mid-week

Slightly warmer Tuesday
Janessa Webb,

Over the next couple of days, melting will continue across areas, especially where the sun can reach it. Shadier spots, as usual, will be slower to let go. Tonight we’ll stay mostly clear with calm winds in the lower 20s.

By Tuesday those higher elevations should finally break above freezing, with temperatures continuing to trend upward. Tuesday ends up being the warmest day in the short term, with many lower-elevation spots reaching the upper 40s to low 50s.

That daytime melting comes with a reminder to stay cautious at night. Once the sun goes down, temperatures dip back below freezing, allowing melted snow and moisture to refreeze. This sets the stage for patches of black ice, on bridges, overpasses, and untreated roads. Even if roads look clear during the day, slick spots can sneak up on you late tonight and again early Tuesday morning.

For most of the area, dry weather sticks around through Tuesday.Β Rain chances begin to increase late Tuesday afternoon as the next system approaches. Temperatures should be mild enough for rain in most spots, but at the highest elevations, colder air could allow for a rain-snow mix or even a brief changeover to snow. Any snow that falls should stay light.

Looking ahead, a front moves through Tuesday night into Wednesday, bringing more chances for precipitation. Some light snow could sneak in Wednesday night, mainly in the mountains. Another quick round of mountain snow is possible by Friday night, but beyond that, temperatures settle back closer to what we expect for this time of year as we head into the weekend.