Significant Forecast Changes, Stormy Couple Days Likely

Since the last blog post, the forecast has changed significantly. What was once thought to be a potential major windstorm has weakened to a more run-of-the-mill autumn storm. We will still have rain, breezy to windy conditions, and lots of mountain snow through the next few days.

The first part of the action will be on Thursday. A frontal system will bring rain and breezy/windy conditions to Western Washington. Below is the UW WRF model forecast for rain from 4 PM Thursday to 4 PM Friday. Expect rain to begin Thursday afternoon.

Expect 0.5-2.5 inches of rain through Friday afternoon, when a break in the rain is likely.

Windy conditions are also expected Thursday afternoon into Friday night. Below is the forecast wind from multiple forecast models for Puyallup.

The bigger numbers are sustained winds, with the smaller numbers being gusts. Expect winds gusting 30-45 mph from Thursday evening into Friday evening. Enough to cause isolated power outages, but nothing major.

Friday will be a bit drier, with a break in the rain likely. Additional rain and breezy conditions are likely later on Saturday into Sunday, with 0.2-0.5 inches of rain and winds gusting 20-40 mph.

The mountains are in for major snow through Sunday, with even more after that. Below is the UW forecast model snow forecast through Sunday afternoon.

Wow! The Cascades and Olympics get 1-4 FEET of snow!

The active weather doesn't end this weekend. More systems packing rain, winds, and mountain snow are likely to impact the area through the next week or so.