High Winds, Flooding And Lightning Possible Into Wednesday

SEATTLE, WA — National Weather Service forecasters are tracking gusty winds, heavy rain, potential river flooding, and possible lightning late Tuesday night into New Year's Day. A Flood Watch is in effect through Wednesday afternoon, with minor flooding possible in the Skokomish, Nooksack, Stillaguamish, and Snoqualmie rivers.

Wind gusts between 25 and 45 mph were forecast from midday Tuesday into early Wednesday. The strongest gusts were expected to develop late Tuesday and continue overnight. High winds threatened to cancel some New Year's Eve fireworks celebrations, including at Seattle's Space Needle. Seattle Fire said the show could be canceled if sustained winds hit 25 mph or gusts surpassed 30 mph in the hours leading up to midnight.

Meteorologists said isolated thunderstorms were also a concern in some areas west of the Cascades through Wednesday morning, but activity was not expected to be widespread.

Rainfall is forecast to transition to more showery conditions Wednesday into Thursday, with the potential for a Convergence Zone developing Wednesday night. A second system moves into the area Thursday evening, expected to bring a burst of lowland rain and mountain snow into Friday morning. The Northwest Avalanche Center said dangers would increase in the mountain passes toward the end of the week.

Rainfall totals from both storm systems are expected in the range of 2 to 3 inches by the end of the weekend.