SEATTLE — The National Weather Service is forecasting as much as nearly a foot on the North Olympic Peninsula on Christmas.
Meteorologists issued a winter storm warning Friday afternoon saying that accumulations of 3 to 11 inches of snow were possible along the Strait of Juan de Fuca with the heaviest snowfall expected Saturday afternoon and into Sunday.
Earlier predictions had been for minimal snowfall in the lowlands. That has changed with the arrival of a couple of storm systems that will bring in moisture to mix with the arctic air barreling out of the Fraser Outflow in British Columbia.
Frigid temperatures are expected throughout next week, with perhaps more snow on Thursday, according to Kirby Cook, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Seattle.
Temperatures are expected to be “really unusually cold,” he said.
Highs are expected to be in the 20s with lows in the teens form Sunday at lest though Wednesday.
For those who are unsheltered:
• In Port Angeles, Serenity House’s adult shelter at 2321 W. 18th is open 24/7 with cots, meals showers and laundry services. Vans collect people at The Gateway transit center at the corner of Front and Lincoln streets at 9 a.m. to 9:10 a.m., 2:50 p.m. to 3 p.m., and 6 p.m. to 6:10 p.m. For assistance, call the shelter at 360-417-0822.
• In Sequim, a warming center is open from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church at 525 N. Fifth Ave.
• In Forks, a warming center is opened in the Forks Transit Center at 551 S. Forks Ave., when needed, according to Serenity House.
• In Port Townsend, the Winter Welcoming Center is open from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. daily in the Pope Marine Building, on the dock at Water and Madison. It offers hot beverages, snacks, hygiene supplies, warm clothing, public computers, bathrooms and electricity for charging devices. The Cotton Building at 607 Water St. also is open as a warming center from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. daily.
• Also in Port Townsend is the Jefferson County Emergency Shelter warming center in the lower level of the American Legion hall, 209 Monroe St., from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday through Thursday.
• In Brinnon, the community center at 306144 U.S. Highway 101 will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday.
• In Port Hadlock, the Jefferson County Jail lobby at 81 Elkins Road is another place to get out of the cold.
Jefferson County’s two public libraries also provide refuge. In Port Hadlock at 620 Cedar Ave., the Jefferson County Library is open Sundays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.; Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Port Townsend Library, 1220 Lawrence St., is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
Travel could be very difficult, the weather service warned, urging anyone who must drive to keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in the vehicle.
