The National Weather Service is forewarning of lots of wind and rain in upcoming days as two three significant weather fronts are expected to roll through the Pacific Northwest.
The NWS Seattle office released a special statement this afternoon expressing “high confidence” the storm systems forecast to pass through between Wednesday night and Sunday will produce high winds for our region.
A strong jet stream taping tropical moisture all the way out to the western Pacific will steer developing low pressure systems into the Pacific northwest. The first frontal system will bring widespread rain to the area Wednesday night and Thursday. High winds are also expected with this storm… especially along the coast and in the north interior. On the coast… strong winds will coincide with dangerous seas building to 20 to 25 feet Thursday night and Friday.
The second even stronger system will track into the area Saturday night and Sunday. Some forecast models indicate that this system could intensify and have very low atmospheric pressure as it passes just off the North Washington coast. High winds could be more widespread with this system. Depending on the exact track of
the low… seas could build to 30 to 35 feet or more. Seas this large in combination with high tides could produce significant coastal flooding along the Washington coast… and possibly along inland water coastlines.
The NWS forecast is for up to 4″ of total precipitation in our area between Wednesday and Sunday.
UPDATE 10/12/16
A High Wind Watch has been issued for Thursday night.