Weather
More Rain Through Saturday, Then A Well-Deserved Break
Flooding will continue in some areas Saturday as a gusty rainstorm moves through our region — but clouds should begin to part Sunday.
SEATTLE, WA — It's so close, you can almost feel the sunshine. Forecasters say an end to the rain is within reach...but not before one more storm.
A new weather system packing more rain, winds and mountain snow will move across Western Washington Saturday, continuing the risk of flooding and landslides for at least another day, forecasters said.
According to the National Weather Service, the cooler pattern is expected to bring between 10 and 20 inches of new snow to the Cascades, and hazardous travel conditions are expected in all mountain passes.
Find out what's happening in Seattlefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Snow levels will drop to 2000 feet by early Saturday morning. With that will come mountain snow, heavy at times, for the Cascades, including the passes. 12-18 inches for Snoqualmie and Stevens Pass are possible. #wawx pic.twitter.com/vymLeRRteF
— NWS Seattle (@NWSSeattle) February 8, 2020
Wind gusts between 35 and 45 mph are forecast from Tacoma to Snohomish County, and gusts up to 40 mph are possible along the coast.
NWS Seattle said many rivers will crest and begin to recede, but a few areas may see water levels continue to rise. Saturday's weather follows intense flooding seen throughout the region Thursday and Friday.
Find out what's happening in Seattlefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
NWS Seattle said a flood warning for the Snohomish River will continue near Monroe through Saturday afternoon. In Auburn, flooding along the Green River increased to moderate severity Friday night.
Monitor the latest river forecasts on the National Weather Service website.
FLOOD IMPACTS CONTINUE
In Issaquah, where major flooding occurred, Issaquah-Hobart Road is expected to remain closed until Sunday after two failed culverts sent water and debris over the road. Historic flooding in the area prompted the evacuation of several residents Thursday.
Issaquah-Hobart Rd (May Valley Rd to SE 96th St) will be closed at least thru Sunday night while crews dig out the culvert & redirect rushing water. More time is needed to clean out a 2nd plugged culvert within the road closure area. Stay informed: https://t.co/HMbiBV5JfS #wawx pic.twitter.com/yP85P9SPKI
— KC Road Services (@kcroads) February 7, 2020
State Route 169 was still closed in both directions near Maple Valley Friday night, and State Route 162 remained blocked near Orting.
State Route 410, which closed between Enumclaw and Greenwater Thursday, was still closed Friday after a third landslide in the area. WSDOT did not have an estimate for its reopening. Crystal Mountain Resort hopes to reopen Sunday.
In Thurston County, hundreds of residents are still under evacuation after heavy flooding near the LaGrande Dam. Officials said residents should be able to return to the area by Sunday.
AN END IN SIGHT?
NWS meteorologists expect a period of dry weather will begin Sunday, with most rivers receding and the risk of landslides greatly diminishing. The dry streak is forecast to continue into at least early next week.
In the Seattle area, Monday is predicted to be mostly sunny with highs near 50 degrees.
If the rain were to ask "Should I Stay or Should I Go?", the answer is go. Weather is all about...the clash...of air masses. We can't promise a "Magnificent Seven" dry days, but some sun is coming. That's better than being "Lost in the Supermarket". #wawx #internationalclashday pic.twitter.com/7UGETzXGs8
— NWS Seattle (@NWSSeattle) February 7, 2020
Are you sitting down? The latest forecast models suggest we could see not one, not two, but THREE completely dry days early next week (Sun-Tues).
— Seattle Weather Blog (@KSeattleWeather) February 7, 2020
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