Mrs. Crash
Administrator
I posted this in the snowing thread, but since this could effect many of us, I wanted to start another thread...
Ugh. I hope it's not another 5 days of power outtages like last time. :mad:
New Storm warnings... this kind of wind is crazy!!!!!
Puget Sound Weather Outlook
Updated Friday 5:35 p.m.
Tonight is the calm before the storm. We'll see generally mostly clear skies. A little random snow shower popped up in the greater Tacoma area, putting down a little more snow, but it'll fade away as the night goes on and it'll be clear but cold. Lows will drop into the low-mid teens.
The storm then begins Saturday, bringing the potential for widespread heavy snows, damaging winds, and a significant number of power outages to a region still recovering from two winter storms earlier in the week.
Hurricane-force winds are possible for communities that nestle up against the Cascades in the eastern foothills of Snohomish, King and Pierce Counties, while farther west, several inches of snow are possible in the greater Seattle-Tacoma-Everett Metro area starting around sunset Saturday, and over toward the Olympic Mountains, they could be measuring new snowfall in feet.
The situation could be particularly dire along the far north coast, where you will get a combination of heavy snow and very strong winds. A rare BLIZZARD WARNING is in effect there.
I have all of the details posted in a story on our home page at www.komonews.com. But here is a quick overview:
Quick Overview
The foothills could see east winds of 50-70 mph, gusting to 70-90 mph Saturday morning through Sunday. A HIGH WIND WARNING is in effect here. Widespread and potentially prolonged power outages are a concern in this region, combined with below-freezing temperatures and dangerous wind chills.
The Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue Metro area could see 3-8" of snow Saturday evening into Sunday. Gusty winds in the eastern parts of this region could get to 50-60 mph.
The Hood Canal area could see 8-24" of snow
Southwest Interior might get 6-12" of snow as well as a coating of ice from freezing rain
Everett north to border could get about 4-6", but has higher uncertainty
Some areas, especially south, could also get freezing rain and icing problems
Blizzard warnings are in effect for the far north coast and Cascades where heavy snow will combine with strong winds for whiteout conditions.
Blizzard warnings in effect for all Cascade passes -- could see 1-2 feet of snow combined with 75 mph wind gusts and wind chills ranging from 0 to -25.
Storm calms down Sunday evening
Some lingering rain showers, possibly back to snow showers above 500 feet, linger for Monday, then we get a dry break for Monday afternoon into Tuesday.
Long range models conflict on whether we warm up through Christmas week or stay cool. We have a few weak systems dropping in that could either be rain or snow, but no major accumulations expected, and snow levels could drift up to 500-1,000 feet.
I'll be keeping that article on the home page updated frequently through the night and weekend.
Scott Sistek
Here is another fuller article...
http://www.komonews.com/news/36474579.html
That means starting Saturday morning, a roaring east wind for those who live on the western end of those gaps. Cities here include North Bend, Gold Bar, Enumclaw, Cumberland, Maple Valley, Black Diamond, Covington and Snoqualmie Ridge. The east Renton and Kent Highlands are also in danger of getting some of these higher gusts. If you've lived out there for any period of time, you know if you get the east wind. A HIGH WIND WARNING is in effect from Saturday morning through Sunday evening for this area.
How strong? Forecasting models as of Friday morning indicate sustained winds could be as strong as 50-70 mph with gusts of 70-90 mph. That would be hurricane force. Again, this is starting Saturday morning, but could last into Sunday. If this verifies, it would be the strongest one since December 2003.
Ugh. I hope it's not another 5 days of power outtages like last time. :mad:
New Storm warnings... this kind of wind is crazy!!!!!
Puget Sound Weather Outlook
Updated Friday 5:35 p.m.
Tonight is the calm before the storm. We'll see generally mostly clear skies. A little random snow shower popped up in the greater Tacoma area, putting down a little more snow, but it'll fade away as the night goes on and it'll be clear but cold. Lows will drop into the low-mid teens.
The storm then begins Saturday, bringing the potential for widespread heavy snows, damaging winds, and a significant number of power outages to a region still recovering from two winter storms earlier in the week.
Hurricane-force winds are possible for communities that nestle up against the Cascades in the eastern foothills of Snohomish, King and Pierce Counties, while farther west, several inches of snow are possible in the greater Seattle-Tacoma-Everett Metro area starting around sunset Saturday, and over toward the Olympic Mountains, they could be measuring new snowfall in feet.
The situation could be particularly dire along the far north coast, where you will get a combination of heavy snow and very strong winds. A rare BLIZZARD WARNING is in effect there.
I have all of the details posted in a story on our home page at www.komonews.com. But here is a quick overview:
Quick Overview
The foothills could see east winds of 50-70 mph, gusting to 70-90 mph Saturday morning through Sunday. A HIGH WIND WARNING is in effect here. Widespread and potentially prolonged power outages are a concern in this region, combined with below-freezing temperatures and dangerous wind chills.
The Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue Metro area could see 3-8" of snow Saturday evening into Sunday. Gusty winds in the eastern parts of this region could get to 50-60 mph.
The Hood Canal area could see 8-24" of snow
Southwest Interior might get 6-12" of snow as well as a coating of ice from freezing rain
Everett north to border could get about 4-6", but has higher uncertainty
Some areas, especially south, could also get freezing rain and icing problems
Blizzard warnings are in effect for the far north coast and Cascades where heavy snow will combine with strong winds for whiteout conditions.
Blizzard warnings in effect for all Cascade passes -- could see 1-2 feet of snow combined with 75 mph wind gusts and wind chills ranging from 0 to -25.
Storm calms down Sunday evening
Some lingering rain showers, possibly back to snow showers above 500 feet, linger for Monday, then we get a dry break for Monday afternoon into Tuesday.
Long range models conflict on whether we warm up through Christmas week or stay cool. We have a few weak systems dropping in that could either be rain or snow, but no major accumulations expected, and snow levels could drift up to 500-1,000 feet.
I'll be keeping that article on the home page updated frequently through the night and weekend.
Scott Sistek
Here is another fuller article...
http://www.komonews.com/news/36474579.html
That means starting Saturday morning, a roaring east wind for those who live on the western end of those gaps. Cities here include North Bend, Gold Bar, Enumclaw, Cumberland, Maple Valley, Black Diamond, Covington and Snoqualmie Ridge. The east Renton and Kent Highlands are also in danger of getting some of these higher gusts. If you've lived out there for any period of time, you know if you get the east wind. A HIGH WIND WARNING is in effect from Saturday morning through Sunday evening for this area.
How strong? Forecasting models as of Friday morning indicate sustained winds could be as strong as 50-70 mph with gusts of 70-90 mph. That would be hurricane force. Again, this is starting Saturday morning, but could last into Sunday. If this verifies, it would be the strongest one since December 2003.
