Stormy night on tap as next weather system blows through
SEATTLE -- It's been a whole few hours since it was genuinely stormy around the Puget Sound area, and since that seems to be a no-no around here, we present a new storm to reset the clock.
But if a front like this could be called "routinely stormy", that's what I'd go with as we have the usual storm warnings and advisories for rain, wind and mountain snow we get this time of year, but overall, likely not something we'll remember beyond Wednesday.
Let's begin with the wind -- a Wind Advisory is in effect through noon Tuesday for the central and northern Coast and Northwest Interior for southerly wind gusts to 45-50 mph -- essentially the bare minimum required to get such an advisory. The South Coast has a greater High Wind Warnings for potential gusts to 65 mph for the headlands and beaches around Long Beach and Pacific County but that too is fairly routine. It is enough to perhaps create a few scattered power outages, so those in the advisory areas should keep a mental note of where the flashlights are, just in case.
Note the Seattle and Puget Sound area are not under any advisories, but we could get some gusts to 30-40 mph --- just enough to knock off those last stubborn leaves.
As for rain, it's been picking on southern Washington more. A Flood Warning remains in effect for the Chehalis and Skokomish Rivers for minor flooding, while Flood Watch remains in effect for essentially the Skookumchuck River.
But locally, the National Weather Service is also warning that between the heavy rains of the past week and Monday night's storm that there is an increased risk of landslides.
Up in the mountains, a Winter Storm Watch is in effect for Tuesday for as much as 10-18 inches of new snow. Snow levels will rise from 4,000 feet to 7,000 feet for a while on Tuesday but will crash back under 4,000 feet on late Tuesday. As for Snoqualmie, it's not so much snow accumulations for Tuesday morning/midday as potential for some freezing rain. But that rain/ice mix will shift back over to snow late Tuesday, then taper off.
For everyone else, a regular rainy and windy night with lows in the mid 40s.
It's likely the stormiest storm of the week with another weaker storm on Thursday book-ended by showers on Wednesday and Friday.
The pattern shifts over the weekend where we are in a cool, northwesterly flow that will drop snow levels down to around 1,000-1,500 feet. There isn't a whole lot of moisture around -- enough to qualify as "showers and sunbreaks" but it's going to definitely feel like winter than late fall with highs only around 40 and lows around 30.
I know some of you snow fans are starting to put 2+2 together here with "30s" plus the "showers" part of that "showers and sunbreaks" but this is not the snow event you are looking for -- maybe some high foothill flakes mixed in but this isn't the setup. Instead, more like chilly showers amid sunbreaks-- really, not that bad of a weekend, just chillier than it's been.
But if a front like this could be called "routinely stormy", that's what I'd go with as we have the usual storm warnings and advisories for rain, wind and mountain snow we get this time of year, but overall, likely not something we'll remember beyond Wednesday.
Let's begin with the wind -- a Wind Advisory is in effect through noon Tuesday for the central and northern Coast and Northwest Interior for southerly wind gusts to 45-50 mph -- essentially the bare minimum required to get such an advisory. The South Coast has a greater High Wind Warnings for potential gusts to 65 mph for the headlands and beaches around Long Beach and Pacific County but that too is fairly routine. It is enough to perhaps create a few scattered power outages, so those in the advisory areas should keep a mental note of where the flashlights are, just in case.
Note the Seattle and Puget Sound area are not under any advisories, but we could get some gusts to 30-40 mph --- just enough to knock off those last stubborn leaves.
As for rain, it's been picking on southern Washington more. A Flood Warning remains in effect for the Chehalis and Skokomish Rivers for minor flooding, while Flood Watch remains in effect for essentially the Skookumchuck River.
But locally, the National Weather Service is also warning that between the heavy rains of the past week and Monday night's storm that there is an increased risk of landslides.
Up in the mountains, a Winter Storm Watch is in effect for Tuesday for as much as 10-18 inches of new snow. Snow levels will rise from 4,000 feet to 7,000 feet for a while on Tuesday but will crash back under 4,000 feet on late Tuesday. As for Snoqualmie, it's not so much snow accumulations for Tuesday morning/midday as potential for some freezing rain. But that rain/ice mix will shift back over to snow late Tuesday, then taper off.
For everyone else, a regular rainy and windy night with lows in the mid 40s.
It's likely the stormiest storm of the week with another weaker storm on Thursday book-ended by showers on Wednesday and Friday.
The pattern shifts over the weekend where we are in a cool, northwesterly flow that will drop snow levels down to around 1,000-1,500 feet. There isn't a whole lot of moisture around -- enough to qualify as "showers and sunbreaks" but it's going to definitely feel like winter than late fall with highs only around 40 and lows around 30.
I know some of you snow fans are starting to put 2+2 together here with "30s" plus the "showers" part of that "showers and sunbreaks" but this is not the snow event you are looking for -- maybe some high foothill flakes mixed in but this isn't the setup. Instead, more like chilly showers amid sunbreaks-- really, not that bad of a weekend, just chillier than it's been.
Excellent write up as usual Scott! TY!
Hope you all have built your rain bunkers!!? I live up on a hill and have carved one out of the hillside. I wish everyone luck!
A couple of months ago everybody was tired of sun. I sure was. This has been a very pleasant fall and if it doesn't get much colder all winter I'd be happy. When the sun comes out here in the winter it often means cold air, a heat inversion, and smog. Rain is good.
I dont know about you guys, but I am weary from all of this rain. Is it just me or has it been raining a lot more than "normal" for this time of year? Just seems like its been nonstop, and raining very hard when it does.
 @northwestsurfer It seems like more than normal to me too, I think we may be continuing our August-October pattern: http://www.komonews.com/weather/blogs/scott/176653711.html
Wind Advisory: see also "garbage night"
If your out driving in the rain TURN ON YOUR HEADLIGHTS. Just because you have daytime running lights, doesn't mean your visible. People behind you cannot see you with all the spray. Turn on your lights!
 @Jalharad I couldn't agree more with this statement. The most annoying thing for me is seeing drivers without their headlights on in the rain. Windshield wiper running? Headlights should be on.
 @Jalharad Completely agree!!! One of my pet peeves is to see so many people without their lights on in the rain. Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't it the law that if you need to turn your wipers on, your lights should be on?
You're probably right pinkyjones.....there is pretty much a law for everything!!!
 @Jalharad Whole-heartedly agreed. I hate 'nanny laws' like most other folks, but in Canada, they got it right and at least DRL's are required to be ON 24/7 unless your headlights are on.
@Jalharad I see people driving without even parking lights on when its pitch black I dont get it. Is this only a seattle thing? Never saw that when I lived in AZ.