Seattle braces for soaking rain, gusty winds from incoming atmospheric river
SEATTLE - The FOX 13 Seattle weather team has issued a weather alert Tuesday for western Washington as nonstop rain is expected, accompanied by strengthening winds from an incoming atmospheric river.
Periods of moderate to heavy rain could make driving conditions difficult across the region. And clogged storm drains and intense downpours may lead to localized street flooding in some areas.
Keep reading for what to expect from this latest storm.
Soaking rain is likely throughout the day on Tuesday in Seattle. (FOX 13 Seattle)
Power outages and tree damage
While the winds won’t produce major, widespread impacts, there could be power outages and tree damage in the typical areas (perhaps in other spots, too – this bears watching).
As of Tuesday morning, a Wind Advisory was posted for the Central and North Coast, the Admiralty Inlet area and the North Sound from 4 p.m. to 4 a.m. Wednesday. Gusts of 50 to 55 mph are possible.
Wind alerts are in effect for the Washington coast on Tuesday. (FOX 13 Seattle)
Wind alerts are posted for the Admiralty Inlet area and the North Sound on Tuesday. (FOX 13 Seattle)
Wind gusts could reach 45 mph
Elsewhere in Puget Sound, gusts could reach 40 mph (max 45 mph).
Winds will increase Tuesday afternoon, peaking for many in the Puget Sound lowlands between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. Wednesday. Thankfully, winds won’t be nearly as strong as what Seattle encountered with the historic bomb cyclone in November. Remember: wind events are very challenging to predict and conditions could change.
What about flood watches?
There’s also a Flood Watch in effect for Mason County.
There could be at least moderate flooding along the Skokomish River – either Tuesday evening or early Wednesday. Other rivers in western Washington will be rising as well, but we’re not expecting river flooding otherwise at this point. Stay tuned because this forecast could change.
A Flood Watch is in effect through late Tuesday night in Mason County. (FOX 13 Seattle)
Travel over the mountain passes could be dangerous
Over the mountains, a Winter Weather Advisory is in effect until 4 a.m. Wednesday for places at and above 2,500 feet in elevation.
There could be between three and six inches of new snow accumulating during the daytime. Later Tuesday evening, there could be a period of freezing rain for Stevens and Snoqualmie passes (possibly White Pass as well). Even minor ice accumulations can be exceedingly dangerous.
If freezing rain materializes, FOX 13 Seattle meteorologists strongly recommend postponing travel until it switches to rain or snow.
Check WSDOT conditions before traveling.
Wintry weather will make driving dangerous over the passes on Tuesday. (FOX 13 Seattle)
Winds will taper off on Wednesday.
Winds and rain will gradually taper off on Wednesday morning, with sunshine reappearing Wednesday afternoon.
Far fewer showers will follow on Thursday and Friday, and there will be daily chances of rain going into the upcoming weekend.
Rain remains in the forecast daily for Seattle this week. (FOX 13 Seattle)
Take good care,
Meteorologist Abby Acone
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