Whatcom will see winter-like weather, and even some snow. Here’s when

Lowland Whatcom County residents could see their first snow of the winter season late this weekend, especially in areas near the U.S.- Canada border.

Any snow that does fall likely won’t stick around too long, but it could affect the morning commute on Monday, Dec. 6.

Colder weather is expected across Western Washington and southwest British Columbia through next week, according to the National Weather Service in Seattle and Environment Canada’s forecast for Abbotsford, B.C.

Storms Friday-Saturday, Dec. 3-4, and Sunday-Monday, Dec. 5-6, were expected to bring snow to the mountains and rain or a rain-snow mix to the Whatcom County lowlands around Bellingham. Environment Canada reported light snow falling Saturday morning at the Abbotsford Airport.

“A mix of lowland rain and snow is possible for both weather systems, but especially Sunday night-Monday,” the National Weather Service said in a statement.

“Little to no impacts on the roads are expected at this time for most areas, a light coating will be possible on grassy surfaces. Uncertainty exists in any potential snow accumulations, but mainly a rain-snow mix expected,” the statement said.

Environment Canada warned that wet snow with little accumulation was possible Friday-Saturday for Fraser Valley and areas above 600 feet of elevation in the Vancouver area.

“A low-pressure system brushing the South Coast will bring a chance of wet snow to the Fraser Valley and Howe Sound. For Metro Vancouver, areas above (600 feet) are more likely to see wet snow,” Environment Canada said. “Currently, the trajectory of this low suggests a low probability of accumulating snow for this time period.”

Meteorological winter started Wednesday, Dec. 1, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s 10- to 14-day weather outlook calls for below-normal temperatures and above-normal precipitation.

Chances for a traditional “white Christmas” in the Northwest are looking better because of a seasonal weather pattern called La Niña, which can mean a colder, wetter winter, according to AccuWeather, a private forecasting service.

AccuWeather said the Seattle area historically has a 25% to 50% chance of snow on the Christmas holiday.

“With the La Niña phase in place, areas across the Northwest, upper Plains and interior Northeast will have a higher probability than average of having a white Christmas,” AccuWeather said in a published report.