Cold temps, lowland snow and possible flooding in the forecast

Beware, holiday travelers. Record cold temperatures and heavy lowland snow are possible early this week, followed by rain and potential flooding over the weekend.

The National Weather Service in Seattle has issued a winter storm warning through 7 p.m. Tuesday for Seattle and surrounding areas. Snow accumulations of 2-8 inches are possible, with heavy snow accumulation expected to impact morning and evening commutes on Tuesday.

"It looks like widespread potential for at least 2-4 inches in the Seattle Metro through tomorrow afternoon," said Carly Kovacik, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Seattle. "There could be areas where we've got localized higher amounts to like maybe 5 or 6 inches."

Meanwhile, extremely low temperatures are in the forecast through the week with lows well below freezing and wind chills into the single digits. The National Weather Service says lows on Thursday morning could be between 10 and 20 degrees, with afternoon highs only reaching the mid-20s.

For those in need of shelter, below is an Instagram post listing cold-weather shelters in the Seattle region.

As temperatures rise toward the end of the week, forecasters warn of the potential for freezing rain and then urban and river flooding over the weekend from rain and snow melt.