Snow today to be rain tomorrow

It's probably not necessary to dig out the sled, shovel and chains, but consider yourself warned: National Weather Service meteorologists are using the "S" word, and they're saying it could come to Seattle.

But it won't be a lot.

And it probably will be gone within 24 hours.

Nevertheless, local cities and the state Department of Transportation are preparing for snow — which the weather service says may or may not blanket Seattle with up to an inch this afternoon and could cover higher elevations with up to 3 inches.

It's going to be a "doozy," says the state transportation department.

State transportation officials have arranged for extra crews to work this weekend and will activate emergency operations centers in Shoreline and Olympia.

The city of Seattle issued a news release Friday saying it's ready for the season's first snow.

The city's transportation department will sand streets and de-ice bridges in preparation, and the city will open Severe Weather Shelters to encourage the homeless to sleep inside.

In Snohomish County, the Salvation Army and Trinity Episcopal Church announced they're opening cold-weather shelters in Everett.

Yet, the National Weather Service doesn't seem too concerned about the possibility of snow.

"We're not thinking too much of it," said Andy Haner, a Weather Service forecaster.

"Any snow that occurs will change to rain Saturday evening, and the snow threat will be over. It's a novelty event."

Even in the Cascade Mountains, which could see up to 6 inches of snow, the rain expected Sunday likely will wash away any accumulation.

A bigger concern is rain that will follow today's snow flurry.

As much as 1 inch of rain could come Sunday and Monday, with up to 6 inches in the Olympic Mountains, Haner said.

And then he used the "F" word ... flooding.

Seattle Times Staff reporter Susan Gilmore contributed to this report.

Brian Alexander: 206-464-2026 or balexander@seattletimes.com