Rain finally falls on Western Washington

Light showers fell onto Western Washington on Thursday, the precursor to a bigger rain event that will signify the end of summer and the beginning of our fall season.

The brief rain showers were not measurable in some areas, but still brought excitement around the region.

The big change starts on Friday with more clouds moving in as a front moves into Western Washington to start the weekend.

Friday morning could be mainly dry around Puget Sound but by noon into Friday evening, rain will overspread the area.

It’ll also get a little breezy but wind forecasts have been coming down in speed over the past day or two. Still wind gusts over 20mph can be expected. Sporadic (but likely quite limited) power outages and tree damage is still possible, especially nearer the coast and right on Puget Sound.

High temperatures on Friday will be in the 50s to low 60s.

Rainfall with this Friday to Saturday weather system will average 0.50″ to 0.75″ in most lowland locations, with isolated higher amounts. One to three inches of rain will fall in the mountains below about 4,000 feet elevation with first snows of the season for the higher peaks and passes. Two to four inches of snow could fall at Stevens Pass with possibly more at Mount Baker and Paradise.

This precipitation will greatly help bring the wildfire situation to a close, though flash flooding on burn scars is possible. At Snoqualmie Pass, rain looks most likely but there could be some snow mixed in, too. Travel impacts should be minimal through the passes, unless flooding occurs on and near a burn scar.

Another weather system brings some more rain showers and mountain snow late Sunday into early Monday with the chance for more weather systems next week, though timing is very uncertain beyond the weekend.

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