Season’s first snowfall possible Saturday in Yakima, Ellensburg | Local

Snowfall in the Cascade Mountains could creep into lower elevations, including the Yakima Valley and Ellensburg, starting this weekend.

The National Weather Service’s Pendleton office is predict a slight chance of snow in Yakima Saturday morning between 10am and 1pm, with chances of a rain/snow mix mid next week.

After a sunny but chilly Friday, temperatures will drop into the mid-20s Friday night, according to the NWS forecast. Little to no snow accumulation is expected Saturday morning, and precipitation should turn to rain by afternoon with a high of 41 degrees predicted.

There is a 90% chance of rain Sunday in Yakima, where the snow level has dropped to 2,200 by early Monday morning. Clearing skies could produce overnight lows in the lower or mid-20s Monday, giving another chance for snow Tuesday and Tuesday night.

The weather service is forecasting a snow level of 1,700 feet near Yakima Tuesday night, rising to 1,900 feet Wednesday morning.

In Ellensburg there is also a chance of snow between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday, with similar temperatures to what Yakima predicted Friday night and Saturday, but stronger wind gusts up to 20 mph.

There is an 80% chance of precipitation Sunday night into Monday for Ellensburg, with snow levels dropping to 2,000 feet after midnight. There is a chance of snow Monday morning, with snow levels dropping to 1,700 feet the weather service predicts.

The chance for rain and snow remains in the Ellensburg forecast through Thursday of next week, the NWS reports.

The weather service is not predicting any snowfall for Sunnyside or the Lower Valley, where it is raining forecast this weekend.