NWS: Small Tornado Touched Down In Grays Harbor County Saturday

SEATTLE, WA — A small tornado briefly touched down in Grays Harbor County on Saturday, bringing several trees down across Moclips Highway, the National Weather Service has confirmed. In a preliminary report published Monday, NWS Seattle assigned the tornado an EF-1 rating, with peak winds of 90 mph.

"Between approximately 4:38 - 4:43 AM on the morning of October 10, radar indicated rotation capable of producing a tornado approximately 5 miles southwest of Neilton, WA in Grays Harbor County. In addition, a single radar scan indicated the potential for lofted debris. A Tornado Warning was issued at 4:40 AM and was in effect through 5:00 AM."

According to the National Weather Service, a fire department official with the Quinault Indian Nation reported 10 downed trees across Moclips Highway, around mile marker 18, and photographs showed tree damage and debris about half a mile to the northeast, across a forest service road. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.

After consulting radar and images from the scene, NWS Seattle determined the tornado touched down at 4:40 a.m., lasting less than two minutes and traveling half a mile. Its maximum width was estimated at 30 yards.

Forecasters expect the recent trend of stormy weather will continue, with another round of heavy rain late Monday into Tuesday morning, and a chance of thunderstorms for some on Tuesday afternoon. River levels are forecast to rise, but flooding is not expected. Wind gusts in the Seattle and Tacoma could hit 40 mph.