Snowy today, blustery tonight

Up to 18 inches of snow expected

UPDATED: The National Weather Service upgraded an earlier advisory to a Winter Storm Warning.

Forecasters now expect snow accumulations of 3 to 7 inches and a wind chill factor of 10 to 15 degrees as a cold Arctic outflow is forced south into the Olympic Mountains.

The warning will remain in effect until 10 p.m. this evening.

The National Weather Service issued a Winter Weather Advisory for the Olympic Peninsula early Monday morning.

Up to 7 inches of snow is expected to fall today in the region, according to the advisory.

In Sequim, the temperature is expected to reach a high of 31 degrees and fall to 27 degrees by 4 p.m. with an overnight low of 22 degrees. A northern wind is expected to develop with speeds of up to 25 miles per hour.

The National Weather Service advised the weather will cause travel difficulties and people should be prepared for slippery roads and poor visibility. The statement urged drivers to be cautious and to carry a flashlight and extra warm clothing with them in case of travel delays.

The snow is expected to stop this evening.