Weather
A Wet Series Of Storms Has Arrived In Washington
The "parade of storms" is upon us: here's what you need to know in the days ahead.
SEATTLE, WA — The steady rains of autumn have arrived in Western Washington as a cold front moves in from the Olympic Peninsula, bringing heavy winds and steady precipitation along the I-5 corridor. Wednesday's evening commute will be wet across the board, on the heels of a day that saw almost 60 crashes in King County and close to 40 in Pierce and Thurston counties.
Looks like we're ending our day the same way we started with wet weather. The same rules still apply: Slow down Increase your following distance Turn on your headlights pic.twitter.com/gufyyDuNOf
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) October 17, 2019
Since 5am this morning @wastatepatrol troopers in King County have responded to 46 collisions! The number continues to rise. #DriveForConditions.
— Trooper Rick Johnson (@wspd2pio) October 16, 2019
According to the National Weather Service, early wind gusts in the northern interior topped 50 mph in some areas. Evening wind gusts in Seattle, Tacoma, and Everett are expected to land in the range of 15 to 25 mph. Winds will begin to calm late Wednesday evening.
Rather windy today across the North Interior, especially near the water. Wind gusts generally in the 40s with 52 MPH reported at Smith Island this morning. Winds will ease this evening into early tonight. #WAwx pic.twitter.com/ql97sOY0g4
— NWS Seattle (@NWSSeattle) October 16, 2019
A frontal system will move through Western Washington this evening bringing widespread rain and breezy to locally windy conditions to the area. Here is the 24-hour forecast for precipitation. #wawx pic.twitter.com/vhc2fNdUAu
— NWS Seattle (@NWSSeattle) October 16, 2019
Here comes the cold front! pic.twitter.com/Bdtu0f4RXW
— Seattle Weather Blog (@KSeattleWeather) October 16, 2019
The latest forecasts predict widespread rainfall, in varying amounts, throughout the region. According to NWS, the highest winds will leave with Wednesday's system, but another round of rain will arrive on Thursday. Coastal swells are expected to hit 18 to 20 feet, which will present hazardous surf conditions.
Find out what's happening in Seattlefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Snow levels will stay above mountain pass elevations on Thursday, but NWS says Friday could bring some flakes to Stevens Pass. Meteorologists say Saturday night may bring us a break in the rain, before the wet weather returns on Sunday and into Monday.
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