AccuWeather.com

By Andy Mussoline, Meteorologist

Jan 15, 2012; 2:55 PM ET

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An arctic cold front slicing south across the Northwest will usher in the latest round of arctic chill into the country. The cold air will support snow in the region over the next several days before a major storm could wallop the region by the middle of next week.

Arctic air will slice into the Northwest into early next week. The cold air pouring south will set the stage for a potentially historic snowstorm in the Seattle area.

Initially, intermittent snow will fall across Washington and Oregon and areas farther east across the Interior West through Tuesday.

Snow can accumulate a couple of inches from Seattle, Wash., to Portland, Ore., through Monday.

Despite the occasional snow early this week, our attention will be focused on the region for some wild weather next week.

A powerhouse storm will slam into the Northwest later Tuesday night into Wednesday, sending a surge of heavy rain and snow into the Pacific Northwest.

"Snow, perhaps a serious snowfall, is likely somewhere in western Washington. Whether it is in north of Seattle to Bellingham or in and even south of Seattle will be determined by where the storm moves ashore and how much the cold air wants to hold on, said Expert Senior Meteorologist and Western Expert Ken Clark.

"Single day snowfall of six inches or greater has occurred on only 15 days since 1950, none since 1996," said Climatologist Jim Rourke.

"The top Seattle snowstorm was Feb. 1, 1916 when 21.5 inches piled up," added Rourke.

The greater Seattle area has the potential to pick up over a foot of snow, with the majority falling Tuesday night into Wednesday should all the ingredients fall into place.

Despite the risk for a historic snowstorm early next week, the most serious concern follows for the late-week period. Major flooding and mudslides could result late next week as a series of warmer, moisture-laden storms pound the region.

"Despite the exact outcome of the snow in the middle of the week, a parade of warmer storms late next week that follow will deliver heavy rain, putting the Seattle area at risk for major flooding," said Senior Meteorologist Kristina Pydnowski.

Thus, residents across the Pacific Northwest are urged to prepare for the wild weather set to hit the region next week. Stay tuned to AccuWeather.com for the latest information on what to expect.