ESFSEW
An atmospheric river remains on track to bring significant rainfall
to the Olympic Peninsula Wednesday into Thursday. Widespread
rainfall totals of 3 to 5 inches are expected in the mountains, with
locally over 6 inches over the highest peaks. Snow levels will
increase from 3,000 feet up to around 4,000 to 5,000 feet during
this time frame, with the lower snow levels over the Olympic
Mountain Peaks.
An extended wet period remains on track with snow levels above 4000
ft Thursday through next weekend over the Olympics, and into
portions of
southwestern Washington. The area of concern for additional river
flooding impacts may expand east to include rivers in Thurston and
Lewis counties.
Please monitor the latest river forecasts from the National Weather
Service for additional information.
* WHAT...For the High Surf Advisory, large waves and hazardous
surf conditions. Breakers up to 25 to 30 feet. For the Coastal
Flood Advisory, tidal overflow flooding expected.
* WHERE...South Washington Coast.
* WHEN...For the High Surf Advisory, from 4 PM Wednesday to 10
PM PST Thursday. For the Coastal Flood Advisory, from 6 AM to
noon PST Thursday.
* IMPACTS...Minor flooding, up to one foot above ground level,
during high tides is expected in the low lying areas near bays,
sloughs, and the lower reaches of the coastal rivers.
Destructive waves may wash over beaches, jetties, and other
structures unexpectedly. People can be swept off rocks and
jetties and drown while observing high surf. Minor beach erosion
may damage coastal properties and buildings. Higher than normal
water run-up is expected on beaches and low-lying shoreline.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...There is a high threat for sneaker waves. Toke
Point is forecast to reach 11.5 feet at 9 am on Thursday.
* WHAT...For the High Surf Advisory, large waves and hazardous
surf conditions. Breakers up to 25 to 30 feet. For the Coastal
Flood Advisory, tidal overflow flooding expected.
* WHERE...South Washington Coast.
* WHEN...For the High Surf Advisory, from 4 PM Wednesday to 10
PM PST Thursday. For the Coastal Flood Advisory, from 6 AM to
noon PST Thursday.
* IMPACTS...Minor flooding, up to one foot above ground level,
during high tides is expected in the low lying areas near bays,
sloughs, and the lower reaches of the coastal rivers.
Destructive waves may wash over beaches, jetties, and other
structures unexpectedly. People can be swept off rocks and
jetties and drown while observing high surf. Minor beach erosion
may damage coastal properties and buildings. Higher than normal
water run-up is expected on beaches and low-lying shoreline.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...There is a high threat for sneaker waves. Toke
Point is forecast to reach 11.5 feet at 9 am on Thursday.
* WHAT...South winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph expected
for the base of the northern Blue Mountains of Oregon and
Washington.
* WHERE...In Oregon, Foothills of the Northern Blue Mountains of
Oregon. In Washington, Foothills of the Blue Mountains of
Washington.
* WHEN...From 10 PM Wednesday to 10 AM PST Thursday.
* IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree
limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.
...MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW CHRISTMAS AFTERNOON THROUGH THURSDAY
ACROSS THE CASCADES...
.A winter system will move across the region during the afternoon
into evening on Christmas and bring widespread mountain snow to the
Cascades through Thursday. Snow levels will rise through Thursday,
with much of this activity tapering off or changing to rain by the
evening Thursday.
* WHAT...Heavy snow expected for elevations above 3000 feet. Total
snow accumulations between 6 and 18 inches.
* WHERE...Upper Slopes of the Eastern Washington Cascades Crest.
* WHEN...From 1 PM Wednesday to 10 PM PST Thursday.
* IMPACTS...Heavy snowfall and very low visibility will create
extremely dangerous driving conditions.
...MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW CHRISTMAS AFTERNOON THROUGH THURSDAY
ACROSS THE CASCADES...
.A winter system will move across the region during the afternoon
into evening on Christmas and bring widespread mountain snow to the
Cascades through Thursday. Snow levels will rise through Thursday,
with much of this activity tapering off or changing to rain by the
evening Thursday.
* WHAT...Heavy snow expected for elevations above 3000 feet. Total
snow accumulations up to 6 to 12 inches.
* WHERE...Lower Slopes of the Eastern Washington Cascades Crest.
* WHEN...From 4 PM Wednesday to 10 AM PST Thursday.
* IMPACTS...Periods of moderate and heavy snow will combine with low
visibilities to create difficult driving conditions.
* WHAT...Large breaking waves of 17 to 24 feet expected in the
surf zone Wednesday night through Thursday.
* WHERE...North Coast and Central Coast zones.
* WHEN...From 10 PM Wednesday to 10 PM PST Thursday.
* IMPACTS...Large waves may wash over beaches, jetties, and other
structures unexpectedly. Localized beach erosion is possible.
People can be swept off rocks and jetties, and drown while
observing high surf.
Snowfall is expected through the next few days as a number of wet
systems move through the Pacific Northwest. These wet systems are
associated with warmer air which will cause snow levels to be
elevated to near pass level of the Cascades. While snow is expected,
uncertainty is high for snow accumulations greater than 10 inches.
* WHAT...Snow expected above 4500 feet. From 4500 feet to 5000 feet,
total snow accumulation up to 6 inches. Above 5000 feet, total
snow accumulations of 18 to 20 inches. Winds gusting as high as 45
mph.
* WHERE...South Washington Cascades and the Northern and Central
Cascades of Oregon.
* WHEN...From 1 PM Wednesday to 10 PM PST Thursday.
* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible. Gusty
winds could bring down tree branches and reduce visibility with
falling snow.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snow levels are hovering right around 4500 to
5000 feet which is the elevation of the passes within the
Cascades. Because of this, if snow levels drop below pass level,
snow accumulation will be greater. There is less than a 10% chance
of seeing greater than 12 inches of snow at pass level.
...The Flood Warning is extended for the following rivers in
Washington...
Skokomish River At Potlatch affecting Mason County.
.The river is expected to remain in minor flood stage through early
Thursday morning. Additional rounds of precipitation are expected to
bring the river back into moderate flood stage early Thursday
morning.
* WHAT...Minor flooding is occurring and moderate flooding is
forecast.
* WHERE...Skokomish River at Potlatch.
* WHEN...Until further notice.
* IMPACTS...At 17.5 feet, the Skokomish River will cause moderate
flooding, with deep and quick flood waters inundating some
residential areas, many roads, and much of the farm land in the
Skokomish Valley. Inundated roads include the Skokomish Valley
road, Bourgault Road West, Purdy Cutoff Road, and Highway 106.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
- At 8:30 AM PST Tuesday the stage was 16.9 feet.
- Flood stage is 16.5 feet.
- Recent Activity...The maximum river stage in the 24 hours
ending at 8:30 AM PST Tuesday was 17.0 feet.
- Forecast...The river is expected to remain in minor flood
stage through early Thursday morning. The river will then
rise into moderate flood stage Thursday.
- Flood History...This crest compares to a previous crest of
16.8 feet on 11/23/1990.
- http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood
* WHAT...Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations between 18
and 24 inches possible above 3500 feet.
* WHERE...Stehekin, Stevens Pass, and Holden Village.
* WHEN...From Wednesday afternoon through Friday morning.
* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult over Stevens Pass.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Expect snowfall rates around 1 inch per hour
or greater at Stevens Pass Wednesday night. For Coles Corner and
Stehekin, total snow accumulations between 5 and 12 inches.
* WHAT...Southeast winds 25 to 40 mph possible Wednesday afternoon
into Thursday. Gusts as high as 55 mph possible Thursday.
* WHERE...Admiralty Inlet Area, San Juan County, Western Skagit
County, and Western Whatcom County.
* WHEN...From Wednesday afternoon through Thursday afternoon.
* IMPACTS...Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines.
Widespread power outages are possible. Travel could be difficult,
especially for high profile vehicles.
* WHAT...Southeast winds 25 to 40 mph with gusts up to 55 mph
becoming west 25 to 45 mph with gusts to 65 mph Thursday morning.
* WHERE...Central Coast and North Coast.
* WHEN...From Wednesday evening through Thursday afternoon.
* IMPACTS...Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines.
Widespread power outages are possible. Travel could be difficult,
especially for high profile vehicles.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...This storm has the potential to produce the
strongest winds of the season to date.
...MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW ALONG THE WASHINGTON CASCADES CHRISTMAS
AFTERNOON THROUGH THURSDAY...
.A strong winter storm will bring moderate to heavy snow to the
Washington Cascades Wednesday afternoon through Thursday afternoon.
Along the east slopes of the central and southern Cascades, snow
levels will increase on Thursday with precipitation changing to rain
or a rain and snow mix for many areas.
* WHAT...Snow expected for elevations above 3000 feet. Total snow
accumulations between 5 and 10 inches.
* WHERE...Upper Slopes of the Eastern Washington Cascades Crest.
* WHEN...From 1 PM Wednesday to 6 PM PST Thursday.
* IMPACTS...Heavy snowfall and very low visibility will create
extremely dangerous driving conditions.
...MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW ALONG THE WASHINGTON CASCADES CHRISTMAS
AFTERNOON THROUGH THURSDAY...
.A strong winter storm will bring moderate to heavy snow to the
Washington Cascades Wednesday afternoon through Thursday afternoon.
Along the east slopes of the central and southern Cascades, snow
levels will increase on Thursday with precipitation changing to rain
or a rain and snow mix for many areas.
* WHAT...Snow expected for elevations above 3000 feet. Total snow
accumulations 5 to 10 inches.
* WHERE...Lower Slopes of the Eastern Washington Cascades Crest.
* WHEN...From 3 PM Wednesday to 3 PM PST Thursday.
* IMPACTS...Periods of moderate and heavy snow will combine with low
visibilities to create difficult driving conditions.
* WHAT...Large waves and hazardous surf conditions. Breakers up to
25 to 30 feet.
* WHERE...North and Central Coast of Oregon, and South
Washington Coast.
* WHEN...From 4 PM Wednesday to 10 PM PST Thursday.
* IMPACTS...Destructive waves may wash over beaches, jetties,
and other structures unexpectedly. People can be swept off
rocks and jetties and drown while observing high surf. Minor
beach erosion may damage coastal properties and buildings.
Higher than normal water run-up is expected on beaches and low-
lying shoreline.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...There is a high threat for sneaker waves.
* WHAT...Heavy wet snow possible above 4500 feet. Total snow
accumulations of 1 to 2 feet, with heaviest snowfall above 5500
feet. Winds could gust as high as 50 mph on higher exposed
terrain.
* WHERE...South Washington Cascades and the Northern and Central
Cascades of Oregon.
* WHEN...From late Wednesday afternoon through Friday morning.
* IMPACTS...Travel could be difficult at times, with snow-packed
roadways.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Two rounds of higher intensity snowfall
will most likely impact the Cascades later this week. The first
round will be late Wednesday afternoon through Thursday morning.
A second storm system will be quick on the first storm system
heels, and bring another round of heavy snowfall Thursday night
into Friday. The Timberline Highway, US-20 over Santiam Pass
and Highway 58 over Willamette Pass will be the roadways most
heavily impacted by the snow.
* WHAT...South winds 15 to 30 mph, with gusts 45 to 60 mph possible.
* WHERE...Areas above 1000 feet across the North and Central Coast
Range Mountains of Oregon and Willapa Hills.
* WHEN...From Wednesday evening through Thursday morning.
* IMPACTS...Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines.
Widespread power outages are possible. Travel could be difficult,
especially for high profile vehicles.
* WHAT...South to southwest winds 20 to 30 mph, with gusts up to 60
mph possible.
* WHERE...South Washington and North and Central Oregon Coast.
* WHEN...From Wednesday evening through Thursday morning.
* IMPACTS...Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines.
Widespread power outages are possible. Travel could be difficult,
especially for high profile vehicles.
* WHAT...Heavy snow possible at or above elevations greater than
4000 ft. Total snow accumulations between 18 to 24 inches
possible. Winds could gust as high as 65 mph.
* WHERE...Olympics.
* WHEN...From Wednesday afternoon through Friday morning.
* IMPACTS...Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will
likely become slick and hazardous. Visibilities may drop below 1/4
mile due to falling and blowing snow.
* WHAT...Heavy snow possible at or above elevations greater than
3500 ft. Total snow accumulations between 18 to 24 inches
possible. Winds could gust as high as 55 mph.
* WHERE...West Slopes North Cascades and Passes, West Slopes North
Central Cascades and Passes, and West Slopes South Central
Cascades and Passes.
* WHEN...From Wednesday afternoon through Friday morning.
* IMPACTS...Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will
likely become slick and hazardous. Visibilities may drop below 1/4
mile due to falling and blowing snow.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Accumulations of 6 to 12 inches will be
possible for elevations between 3000 to 3500 feet, including
Snoqualmie Pass.
