AccuWeather.com

By Bill Deger, Meteorologist

Feb 26, 2012; 10:06 AM ET

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A cold storm system pressing across the Southwest early this week will make for a damp, dreary and windy start to the week for millions.

The storm will even make for a wintry mess along some busy corridors through Southern California, where snow levels will drop into the foothills.

Today, lower-elevation snow will first impact the Seattle area, with snowflakes even expected in the city itself through tonight. A light accumulation is likely across the hills to the east.

Meanwhile, the Southwest will eek out one more dry day, with sunshine and comfortable temperatures expected for the stars arriving on the red carpet for the Academy Awards in Los Angeles.

The weather will begin to go downhill early on Monday, as showers push ashore across California, while colder air settles in.

Foothills outside the Southern California mountains will turn white later on Monday as snow levels fall below 3,000 feet. The I-5 corridor through the Grapevine, as well as Highway 14 through Soledad Pass are among the busiest travel locations that will face slippery conditions into Monday night.

Of course given the volume of traffic in this part of the country, even the coastal and valley locations, which will get up to a quarter of an inch of rain, will have slippery travel as oils intertwine with the rainwater.

The wintry mix will also push farther inland over the Southwest and Great Basin, with several inches of snow expected in Salt Lake City and Flagstaff as well through Monday night. Much lower elevations across the Southwest Deserts will stay dry or only manage a few showers.

Perhaps the biggest story of the storm will be the strong winds accompanying the push of colder air. Gusts up to 60 mph, highest in the mountains, especially near the Four Corners, could cause damage and result in travel delays.

Even the Southern California coast, normally sheltered from the worst wind, will experience strong gusts.

Motorists in higher-profile vehicles should drive cautiously on Monday, especially through mountain passes and in areas typically susceptible to strong winds.

Drier, warmer and calmer conditions will return on Tuesday as high pressure edges into the region.