Weekend rain and mountain snow returns

Seattle weather: rain, wind, and heavy mountain snow

FOX 13 meteorologist Ilona McCauley has the latest forecast

SEATTLE - Unsettled weather around Western Washington continues into the weekend. A disturbance to our south will increase lowland rain chances and mountain snow beginning Friday night.

Some instability may lead to isolated showers with brief downpours of rain, hail, gusty winds and some lightning. Rainfall totals through the weekend may close in on 1" in many locations.

Lowland rain and mountain snow on the way for the weekend.

A disturbance to our south will increase rain and mountain snow this weekend.

Snow levels will lower to around 2000' this weekend with plenty of snow on the way to our passes. A Winter Storm Warning goes into effect early Saturday morning through late morning on Sunday.

The passes could easily pick up close to a foot of snow this weekend. Drivers should be prepared for winter driving conditions. Take it slow on the roads and monitor the passes for changing weather conditions.

A winter storm warning has been issued for the Washington Cascades for this weekend. (FOX 13 Seattle)

Gray, cool and breezy conditions will keep our afternoon highs below seasonable averages. Morning lows will start near 40 and only warm into the upper 40s during the day.

Forecast highs around Western Washington tomorrow.

Afternoon high temperatures will be in the upper 40s and low 50s on Saturday.

Spotty showers will be around as we celebrate St Patrick's Day on Monday. We get a short break with a mainly dry day on Wednesday before rain returns in time for the first day of Spring on Thursday.