Category Archives: Weather

Local, Weather

It Wouldn’t be 2022 Western Washington Weather if it Didn’t Rain on Independence Day

[KIRKLAND, Wash.] – MTN The Independence Day long week weather forecast for the Bellevue-Kirkland-Woodinville area isn’t a complete washout, but unseasonably cool, cloudy, and rain showers await from Saturday to Monday.

Friday night will be seasonable under mostly clear skies and a low of 52 to 56 degrees. If the pine pollen that showed up later than normal this year doesn’t bother your nose, it’s a perfect night to open the windows and enjoy the sleeping weather.

Saturday clouds will roll in and it will be the warmest day of the weekend. The high will be 71 to 74 degrees which is seasonable for this time of year. The chance for some stray rain showers moving into the area will increase but should hold off until after sunset.

Saturday night the chance of rain increases with numerous rain showers by sunrise. The clouds will act like a blanket and moderate evening temperatures with a low of 55 to 57 degrees.

Sunday will be the wettest day with showers and light rain tapering off in the afternoon. There may be some breaks in the clouds by sunset, with a lingering chance of rain showers. The high will be about 10 degrees below normal – 63 to 65 degrees.

Sunday night will be mostly cloudy with scattered rain showers. Low temperatures will be 55 to 57 degrees.

Monday will be mostly cloudy to cloudy, with the chance of rain showers tapering off by sunset. High temperatures will be 67 to 69 degrees. If the clouds break up some more in the afternoon, 70 degrees could be possible.

In true Western Washington fashion, Tuesday, July 5 will be sunny under partly cloudy skies. The high temperature will be 73 to 77 degrees.

Local, Weather

Puget Sound lowlands facing a frigid week with record-setting cold

[KIRKLAND, Wash.] – (MTN) Record cold is on tap for the week ahead with temperatures 15 to 20 degrees below normal. There is a slight chance for a few stray flakes of snow late Sunday night before the region dries out and a cold sun peeks through partly cloudy skies.

A weak disturbance currently developing in Eastern British Columbia will move into Eastern Washington on Sunday Night, bringing cloudy skies to the Puget Sound lowlands. A strong area of high pressure off Vancouver Island will keep the disturbance to our east, and push it southward into Oregon. As the two centers of circulation push against each other winds will increase on Monday afternoon. In the lowlands, winds will be 10 to 15 MPH from the north, with higher gusts. The north wind will pull cold air southward into Washington.

Temperatures will be in the mid-30s on Monday morning, reaching a high of 42 to 44 along the I-405 corridor. There is little support for a convergence zone to form on Sunday night, and not enough moisture to produce pockets of accumulating snow. Lows on Monday night will drop to 26 to 28 degrees. This is just the opening act.

The area of high pressure will move further east on Tuesday, while the low-pressure area will get better organized and drift to southwest Oregon. A cold front will move through the lowlands on Tuesday afternoon, with winds of 10 to 20 MPH and higher gusts, pushing additional cold air in from the Fraser Valley. Area skies will clear out before sunset, enhancing radiational cooling overnight. The daytime high will be 37 to 39, before dropping to record-cold with lows of 19 to 21 degrees.

Wednesday will be cold under mostly sunny skies with a high of 36 to 39. High clouds that move in during the late afternoon will thicken up overnight and help keep things slightly warmer. Lows will reach 26 to 28 degrees with a very slight chance of a light snow flurry with little to no accumulation.

Looking at the long-range weather model, Thursday should be a mostly sunny day. Daytime temperatures will break over 40 degrees with a high of 40 to 44. Nighttime lows will reach 23 to 27, putting the current record of 24 at risk. For now, Friday is forecasted to be a repeat a Thursday, with clouds thickening up in the evening.

Cold temperatures will bring life threatening conditions and can freeze pipes

Temperatures this low are life-threatening to the houseless. At press time, there was no information about available cold weather shelters, or what action King County officials are taking.

The coming week will also be dangerous to pets and on Tuesday night, backyard livestock. Cats and dogs will need places to escape the cold, ideally inside your house. Water bowls for animals will freeze making it impossible for them to hydrate.

Outside faucets should have hoses disconnected and be covered or wrapped to protect them from freezing. In older homes with sinks that face outside walls, setting your faucets to a weak trickle and opening the under-sink cabinet doors will help prevent pipes from freezing. Know where the water shutoff valve is for your house and make sure if you need a tool to use it, that you have one.

Breaking News, Local, Weather

Local store shelves emptying as weather, holidays, and COVID stress the supply chain

[KIRKLAND, Wash.] – (MTN) Empty spots on store shelves and coolers are getting bigger across Puget Sound as the labor shortage, weather, post-holiday buying, and COVID place increasing stress on supply chains.

Shortages of cold medication and home rapid COVID tests have grown to include fresh produce, milk, pet food, and some dry goods. Shortages are spotty and vary across stores. In Seattle, social media and pictures show empty dairy sections. In Kirkland, Fred Meyer had plenty of milk, eggs, and cheese but very little fresh produce.

The holiday buying season both for goods and food products arrived just before a snowstorm and historic cold blanketed the region. The timing combined to empty shelves for some, but by New Year’s many locations had recovered.

The COVID variant Omicron is sickening a record number of people, with worker shortages across every sector from hospitals to warehouses. With national unemployment at a robust 3.9 percent, the nation was already deep into a worker shortage before the ongoing coronavirus surge.

The trucking industry is short over 80,000 drivers nationally. Drivers are typically paid by the mile, and go unpaid when they aren’t moving. Labor shortages at warehouses and distribution centers can leave bulk freight motor carriers waiting for hours, and sometimes days without pay. Additionally, trucker pay has declined 50 percent in the last 20 years, forcing experienced drivers to leave the industry. Long-haul bulk freight has suffered the most, with many drivers wanting better pay or assurances they will get to sleep in their own beds at night.

Tracking technology has turned into a double-edged sword for the freight industry. The same systems that monitor driver behavior, safety, and location, have created a Fifth Element style driving environment. As an example, if a driver is moving in a freight yard or loading dock and exceeds 5 MPH, tracking systems will consider that movement as travel. If the driver is only moving their vehicle but on a mandatory rest window, they get penalized. Drivers have complained that getting stuck in traffic results in filling out online forms and explaining to dispatchers why they aren’t moving and on schedule.

Washington awoke on Friday morning to find the region was being pummeled by another once in a 100-year weather event. Heavy rain, flooding, and historic snowfall have crippled land transit into Puget Sound closing all mountain passes, stopping railroads, and for a short period this morning, closing a 20 mile stretch of I-5 in Lewis County. A similar weather system in December of 2007 crippled transit and disrupted the supply chain in Western Washington.

Wenatchee and Leavenworth received record amounts of snowfall on Thursday, with Leavenworth declaring a state of emergency. The Bavarian-themed tourist town received three feet of snow in 24 hours. Chelan County also declared a state of emergency and made a disaster declaration due to record snowfall.

All mountain passes are closed until at least Sunday due to record amounts of snow, avalanche danger, landslides, and downed trees. Snoqualmie Pass has recorded 69 inches of snow in four-and-a-half days with more expected through Friday. Stevens, Whites, and Blewett Passes haven’t had updated snowfall reports since Jan. 5.

The same weather system that has buried the Cascades is causing historic flooding in South Puget Sound, Southwest Washington, and in communities such as Issaquah. The Washington State Department of Transportation was forced to close a 20-mile section of I-5 between Centralia and Chehalis on Friday morning, the first major closure due to flooding since 2007. The highway is temporarily reopened this afternoon, but DOT traffic cameras showed water lapping at the edges of I-5. The Chehalis River isn’t expected to crest until Friday night or early Saturday morning.

The Newaukum and Skookumchuck Rivers reached near-record levels. The Thurston County Sheriff was appealing for people to follow evacuation orders and not to ignore road closures. In Issaquah, a phase two alert was issued on Thursday, when the Issaquah Creek broke its banks. On Friday morning, floodwaters were slowly receding.

The timing of these disruptions has created a perfect storm for the delivery of goods into the region. By Friday evening, the only way in and out of Puget Sound, the Islands, and the Olympic Peninsula will be by boat or aircraft. Combined with a growing number of COVID cases sidelining more workers, Western Washington should accept more empty shelves in the days to come.

Local, Weather

Here we snow again!

[KIRKLAND, Wash.] – (MTN) Record-setting cold temperatures have prevented the Christmas weekend snow and ice from melting with another round of light snow set to arrive on Thursday.

If you squint, measurable snow has fallen at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport every day since Sunday. The temperature dropped to 17 degrees on Monday, a record, and was 91 degrees colder than the all-time record high set on June 28 of 108 degrees.

For the Bellevue-Kirkland-Woodinville area, most of Wednesday night and Thursday will be in a protective rain shadow formed by the Olympic Mountains. Heavier snow will fall to our south, particularly away from Puget Sound.

Tomorrow will start off cold with temperatures between 21 and 24 degrees under mostly clear skies. The clouds will move in during the afternoon, with a high temperature of 28 to 31 degrees.

On Wednesday night, snow will surround the Puget Sound lowlands, but won’t arrive in the metro Seattle-Bellevue area until close to midnight. Lows will be 23 to 25 degrees. Hit and miss light snow showers will start to filter in from the south.

Snow showers turn into light snow during the morning commute hours on Thursday, with areas south of Kirkland receiving more. Total accumulation will be one to three inches through our forecast region, with most areas on the lower side. The forecast is very tricky with just the smallest change in storm track having a major impact on the Bellevue-Kirkland-Woodinville area.

Looking at the forecast models, the total predicted snowfall by Thursday varies a lot over short distances:

  • Bellevue – 2.5 inches
  • Bothell – <1.0 inch
  • Duvall – 3.0 inches
  • Finn Hill – 1.0 inch
  • Issaquah – 3.0 inches
  • Juanita – 1.0 inch
  • Kenmore – <1.0 inch
  • Kingsgate – 1.0 inch
  • Novelty Hill – 2.0 inches
  • Redmond – 1.5 inches
  • Rose Hill – 1.0 inch
  • Sammamish – 3.0 inches
  • Totem Lake – 1.0 inch
  • Yarrow Point – 2.5 inches

When making snowfall forecasts, a difference of 50 miles in the storm track can have a major impact, and at 50 miles you’re metaphorically threading a needle blindfolded. Additionally, the forecast is supportive of a convergence zone forming in the South Sound. If the snow bands wiggle north by 20 miles, our forecast area will see a lot more white stuff on the ground.

Highs will be 33 to 35 degrees, but our region shouldn’t reach the high while it is snowing.

The South Sound will get a lot more snow including SeaTac Airport, which will get three to four inches, adding to existing travel woes. Additionally, if your travel plans include the passes on Thursday prepare for major delays and very cold temperatures.

Thursday night will remain cloudy with lows dropping back into the mid-twenties.

New Year’s Eve will be partly cloudy with a high of 31 to 33 before clouding up in the evening. There is a slim chance for a snow shower on New Year’s Eve night, with lows dropping back into the mid-20s.

The long-range forecast hints at some more snow on Saturday before temperatures finally get above freezing and we return back to normal – cloudy, cold, and raining.

BIPOC, French Toast Emergency, Local, Weather

Widespread lowland snow will bring a White Christmas to Western Washington after all

[KIRKLAND, Wash.] – (MTN) A small shift in the storm track with a little more intensification means widespread snow across Western Washington is likely on Christmas Day into Sunday morning. After the system moves out, record low temperatures will plunge Washington state into the deep freeze creating dangerous conditions.

The I-405 corridor can expect one to four inches of snow, with some areas potentially seeing more. The Bellevue-Kirkland-Woodinville area will get three to five inches from Saturday morning to Sunday afternoon. To help the houseless, warming centers, overnight shelters, and housing vouchers are being provided across the county.

Friday morning the low-pressure system that will become our snowmaker was further south and a little stronger than what the models predicted yesterday. The National Weather Service has not issued any weather warnings for the Puget Sound lowlands at the time we went to press, but we expect Winter Weather Advisories for part of Saturday, Saturday night, and part of Sunday posted later today.

Christmas Eve started with a mix of sun and high clouds for the region, but that will be ending soon. Between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., the rain will move into the area with wet snowflakes mixed in above 500 to 1,000 feet.

Friday night temperatures will drop close to freezing in the Bellevue-Kirkland-Woodinville area, Lows will be 33 to 35 and the rain should transition to wet snow for a few hours overnight. Drivers should be cautious, especially on side streets, hills, bridges, and overpasses.

The forecast for Christmas Day is more complex than yesterday. Your location and elevation will decide how much snow will fall during the day. The urban canyons of Bellevue and Seattle, along the shoreline of Puget Sound and Lake Washington, and area hot spots like Totem Lake will see more rain than snow. The hilltops such as Queen Anne, Finn Hill in Kirkland, and the foothills in Woodinville, Duvall, and Issaquah will see more snow. Precipitation will be in showers so some locations may be mostly dry while others could get dumped on. To complicate things further high temperatures will be 36 to 38 – a couple of degrees cooler will turn that rain/snow mix into mostly snow. Additionally, conditions are more favorable for a Convergence Zone to form in the evening. Expect one to two inches of snow, with the potential for a couple of areas to get higher amounts.

Saturday night the low-pressure area is now predicted to be just off the northeastern tip of Washington. Cold air will start to be pulled down from the Fraser Valley and light snow showers will fall through the region. Another one to two inches of snow will fall, while the urban canyons of Seattle and Bellevue will get more of a rain/snow mix. Temperatures will be 25 to 27 degrees, warmer in the urban cores, and roads will become slippery.

Sunday will be cold with widespread light snow across the region into the early afternoon. The change of about 100 miles in the location of the low-pressure area has boosted the amount of snow with two to three inches expected in the Bellevue-Kirkland-Woodinville area. It is too soon to predict if a convergence zone will form, but the models are more interesting than yesterday. Snow will taper off in the evening with highs between 28 and 30 degrees.

On Sunday night snow showers will end and our region will experience record-breaking cold under mostly cloudy skies. Lows will be 8 to 11 degrees. The record low at SeaTac is 20 and doesn’t stand a chance.

Monday will be partly cloudy and very cold, with a high of 22 to 25.

Monday night will be partly cloudy and cold, with temperatures from 13 to 15 degrees. The record low at SeaTac Airport is 12, so a tie isn’t out of the realm of possibility.

Tuesday will be a slight improvement under partly cloudy skies with a high of 28 to 30 degrees.

The outlook for the rest of the week is for temperatures ten to 15 degrees below normal through Thursday, with only a slight improvement in the long-range forecast. Your weather apps might be showing a snowflake on Thursday too, but it’s too far out to make a prediction.

Cold temperatures will bring life threatening conditions

Temperatures this low are life-threatening to the houseless and Seattle’s Human Services Department is opening two overnight shelters from Dec. 25 to Dec. 29. One shelter will be located at Seattle Center Exhibition Hall and can serve about 100 people, 18 and older including pets. The other is located in Pioneer Square and can serve 80 people, 18 and older. Additionally, the Salvation Army can accommodate up to 240 people at its shelter in SODO.

If you have children and live in King County, you can Parents can call the King County Emergency Family Shelter Intake Line at 206-245-1026 between 8 a.m. and 11:30 p.m. for assistance.

The City of Kirkland announced they will be providing hotel vouchers to the unhomed in the city as well as opening warming centers. Hotel vouchers are available by contacting the City of Kirkland, police, fire, or parks departments or by calling (425) 577-5656. For families living at the safe parking lot at the Lake Washington United Methodist Church, vouchers for extended stay hotels have been provided.

Warming centers will be available at the following locations.

  • North Kirkland Community Center
    • December 27 – 29, 1 PM to 4 PM
    • December 30, 8 AM to 12 PM
  • Peter Kirk Community Center
    • December 27 – 29, 8 AM to 5 PM
    • December 30, 8 AM to 12 PM
  • Kirkland City Hall
    • December 30, 8 AM to 12 PM

Temperatures this low will be a danger to pets and backyard livestock. Cats and dogs will need places to escape the cold, ideally inside your house. Water bowls for animals will freeze up in this weather making it impossible for them to drink water.

Outside faucets should have hoses disconnected and be covered or wrapped to protect them from freezing. Setting your faucets to the slowest trickle keeps water moving in your pipes preventing freezing. For sinks that face outside walls of your home, open the cabinet doors to allow warm air to circulate. Know where the water shutoff valve is for your house and make sure if you need a tool to use it, that you have one.

Extended cold is also hard on your car’s batteries. If the starter battery in your car is over four years old, the cold snap could spell the end of its useful life. Hybrid and electric vehicles can lose effective range when it is this cold. This happens due to physics impacting battery performance and the increased draw from the cabin heater, window defrosters, and comfort accessories like heated seats. If you find your range is deteriorating turning off the cabin heat and using heated seats to stay warm uses less power.

Local, Weather

Western Washington White Christmas chances are fading but historic cold lies ahead

[KIRKLAND, Wash.] – (MTN) Record low temperatures are coming to Western Washington even as the promise of a white Christmas along the I-405 corridor is fading away.

A weak low still promises to bring some snow into the Puget Sound lowlands late on Christmas Eve and Christmas Eve Night. After Saturday, dangerously cold air will settle into the region six months to the day after Seattle experienced three days of record-shattering heat.

Christmas Eve looks promises to be a typical December day in Washington – cold, wet, and dreary. There is a weak low currently at the very southeastern tip of Alaska that is moving along the British Columbia coast, and that will be our snowmaker later in the weekend. Winds will be breezy and from the south, as high temperatures struggle to reach 40 degrees. Rain will fall through most of the day.

Friday night temperatures will drop close to freezing in the Bellevue-Kirkland-Woodinville area, with the lowest temperatures at the highest points and away from the water. Lows will be 33 to 35 and drivers should be cautious for icy patches especially on bridges and overpasses. The center of low pressure will be around the southern tip of Vancouver Island.

The forecast for Christmas Day is complex. That weak low will drift across the Olympic Penisula and park over the Olympic Peninsula. Cold air will start to spill into Western Washington, with temperatures rising to 36 to 39 degrees, peaking around 11 a.m. Cold air is dry air, and there isn’t a lot of moisture or energy in this system to produce a lot of precipitation. Areas below 500 to 1000 feet should expect a mix of rain showers, graupel, and wet snowflakes. The highest hills in our region could see more flakes. By 5 p.m, temperatures will be approaching freezing, and snow showers will transition to rain. Side streets, overpasses, and highway ramps could get icy during this transition.

Saturday night the low-pressure area will have drifted further south and will be located off the northeast tip of Washington. The center of circulation will pump coastal moisture into the Puget Sound region as cold air starts to spill in from the Fraser Valley, causing widespread snow showers to form. Expect 1 to 2 inches of snow overnight. Convergence Zone forecasts are extremely difficult to make, however, there isn’t a lot of moisture nor wind dynamics that point to heavier snow bands being widespread. Temperatures will be 23 to 25 degrees. The record low at SeaTac Airport is 22, so it’s possible the record will get tied or broken.

Sunday will see snow showers moving out of the area by 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. as the low dissipates and moves into southwest Washington. It will remain cloudy with high temperatures reaching 28 to 30 degrees. There is a chance slight chance for a few stray flakes late in the day as the temperature drops and wrings out the remaining moisture from the low-pressure system. As it weakens and moves south, the floodgates for cold Fraser Valley air will open.

On Sunday night our region will experience record-breaking cold. The skies will partially clear allowing for radiational cooling and winds will shift out of the north pulling cold air from Canada into our region. Lows will be 13 to 16 degrees. The record low at SeaTac is 20 and doesn’t stand a chance. If the record low reaches 13 or colder, the difference between the high temperature of the year and the low temperature of the year will be 100 degrees or greater!

Monday will be one of the coldest days in years. The high temperature will only reach 19 to 22 degrees under partly cloudy skies. Winds will be light at 7 to 10 MPH, but enough to make the air feel like it can cut like a knife.

Monday night will be clear and cold, with temperatures from 12 to 14 degrees. The record low at SeaTac Airport is 12, so a tie isn’t out of the realm of possibility.

The outlook for next week is bitter cold through Thursday, which is the first day where high temperatures might reach freezing. Your weather apps might be showing a snowflake on that date too, but it’s too far out to make a prediction.

Temperatures this low are life-threatening to the houseless and Seattle’s Human Services Department is opening two overnight shelters from Dec. 25 to Dec. 29. One shelter will be located at Seattle Center Exhibition Hall and can serve about 100 people, 18 and older including pets. The other is located in Pioneer Square and can serve 80 people, 18 and older. Additionally, the Salvation Army can accommodate up to 240 people at its shelter in SODO.

If you have children and live in King County, you can Parents can call the King County Emergency Family Shelter Intake Line at 206-245-1026 between 8 a.m. and 11:30 p.m. for assistance.

Temperatures this low will be a danger to pets and backyard livestock. Cats and dogs will need places to escape the cold, ideally inside your house. Water bowls for animals will freeze up in this weather.

Outside faucets should have hoses disconnected and be covered or wrapped to protect them from freezing. Setting your faucets to the slowest trickle keeps water moving in your pipes preventing freezing. For sinks that face outside walls of your home, open the cabinet doors to allow warm air to circulate. Know where the water shutoff valve is for your house and make sure if you need a tool to use it, that you have one.

Extended cold is also hard on your car’s batteries. If the starter battery in your car is over four years old, the cold snap could spell the end of its useful life. Hybrid and electric vehicles can lose effective range when it is this cold. This happens due to physics impacting battery performance and the increased draw from the cabin heater, window defrosters, and comfort accessories like heated seats. If you find your range is deteriorating turning off the cabin heat and using heated seats to stay warm uses less power.

French Toast Emergency, Local, Weather

Here we blow again! Torrential rain and strong winds on tap for Friday night

[KIRKLAND, Wash.] – (MTN) Western Washington is under a series of weather warnings after a brief break from the rain, with winds up to 50 MPH and over an inch of rain on tap for Friday night and Saturday.

The National Weather Service has issued a Wind Advisory from 7 p.m. Friday to 10 a.m. Saturday the Bellevue area. Winds of 20 to 35 MPH with gusts to 50 MPH are expected overnight.

On Friday, scattered rain showers will transition to steady rain by nightfall. Winds will begin to increase through the evening as heavy rain develops. Temperatures will stay in the mid-40s.

Friday night rain will be heavy with winds peaking between 2 AM and 6 AM. Temperatures will remain in the mid-40s and up to an inch of rain is expected.

Winds will be from the south impacting Finn Hill, Juanita, Kenmore, and Kingsgate. Power outages in the usual eastside trouble spots are likely. Because the ground is saturated and can’t absorb much moisture, it won’t take much for the wind to knock down trees and create additional issues.

On Saturday the wind and rain with gradually taper off, but it will remain wet and breezy. Temperatures will hold steady in the mid-40s with winds from 10 to 15 MPH.

The weather models hint at some possible lowland snow next week, but we’re not very optimistic the region will see anything beyond a few wet flakes – for now.

French Toast Emergency, Local, Weather

Wind Advisory issued for the eastside – a lot of weather ahead today

[KIRKLAND] – (MTN) The National Weather Service added a Wind Advisory to the eastside at 7:36 a.m. through 4:00 p.m. today including Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland, Bothell, Kenmore, Newport Hills, Sahalee, and Pine Lake.

Temperatures in the Bellevue-Kirkland-Woodinville area were over 60 degrees as an intense flow of sub-tropical air was pushed ahead of an advancing cold front. The area has reached high temperatures for the day with the front advancing into our region.

Winds will be from the south and increase as the cold front approaches, and then shift to the southwest and west and intensify. Southwest winds will rise to 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 45 mph. The ground is extremely saturated, increasing the possibility of trees being blown down. Scatter power outages are likely as the morning progresses.

When the wind shifts to the southwest temperatures will drop and by sunset will be down to 45 degrees. Drivers should prepare for a long commute on Monday evening and give themselves some extra time. Heavy rain, landslide risk, and saturated soil can impact Sounder Train service, commuters should check on conditions in the evening and have an alternative plan for the return home.

Never drive around road closed or high water warning signs, especially in the dark. According to FEMA, a passenger car or car-based sport utility vehicle can stall out in six inches of water and start to float in 12. Even if you successfully drive through high water, moisture can get into critical mechanical components and foul lubricants causing long-term damage.

French Toast Emergency, Local, Weather

Wind and rain on Monday will bring more woe to the Puget Sound lowlands

[KIRKLAND] – (MTN) When it rains it pours and it has been pouring in Western Washington for almost a week with flood watches and warnings across the region. Monday will deliver yet another punch of heavy rain and the strongest winds yet driven along an atmospheric river extending out into the Pacific Ocean.

The forecast for tomorrow is extremely challenging with little agreement across weather models. The strongest winds will move through Central Puget Sound from 6 a.m. to noon on Monday. For wind storms, Malcontent News puts more weight on the Euro Model, which is forecasting a Wind Advisory grade event for the morning.

The National Weather Service has not issued a Wind Advisory at this time. On Sunday at Seatac Airport winds reached Wind Advisory territory for three hours, peaking with a gust of 42 MPH.

For Sunday night, the rain will increase between 11 p.m. and midnight with breezy winds from the south. It will be unseasonably warm, with low temperatures from 55 to 57. South winds will be 10 to 15 MPH with increasing gusts toward daybreak. Overnight rainfall will be around one-tenth of an inch.

Monday morning will be wet, windy, and warm. Temperatures will reach 57 to 59 degrees early in the day before dropping sharply in the afternoon. Winds will continue from the south from 15 to 25 MPH with gusts to 45 MPH. Rainfall with be close to three-quarters of an inch through the area, further saturating the soil.

Saturated soils combined with the wind will increase the chance of trees being uprooted, as well as enhance the landslide risk. Scattered power outages are likely. By sunset, the winds will die down along with the rain. Overnight temperatures will drop to 38 to 40 degrees.

Drivers should prepare for a long commute on Monday morning and give themselves some extra time. Heavy rain, landslide risk, and saturated soil can impact Sounder Train service, commuters should check on conditions in the morning and have an alternative plan for the return home.

People should never drive around road closed or high water warning signs, especially in the dark. According to FEMA, a passenger car or car-based sport utility vehicle can stall out in six inches of water and start to float in 12. Even if you successfully drive through high water, moisture can get into critical mechanical components and foul lubricants causing long-term damage.

Local, Weather

Bomb cyclone on Sunday kicks off 4 days of wet and windy weather

Photo credit: Zoom.Earth

[KIRKLAND] – (MTN) A string of powerful storms riding an atmospheric river will slam into the West Coast through Wednesday bringing high winds and heavy rain, but it appears Central Puget Sound will be spared.

It is possible we could see Wind Advisories for the Bellevue-Kirkland-Woodinville area on Sunday, Monday, or Tuesday. Right now, Monday is the most interesting day. A 50-mile change in the path of a fall wind storm can have a significant impact on our Puget Sound microclimates.

A “bomb cyclone” is developing to our west and will track north of Puget Sound and linger off Vancouver Island. The forecasted storm track is getting more consistent across the weather models this afternoon but there remains some disagreement.

The North American Mesoscale (NAM) model is forecasting the center will come closer to the Washington coast. If the NAM is correct, winds will be around 5 MPH higher than the current forecast. That isn’t quite enough for a Wind Advisory, but it is close. Additionally, the NAM model supports winds from the south, which enhances the impact for residents of Juanita, Finn Hill, and Kenmore.

Sunday morning will start off dry with wind and rain increasing by noon. Bellevue-Kirkland-Woodinville can expect winds up to 20 MPH that last for three to six hours. The storm system will linger off the coast as it heads towards Vancouver Island, creating blustery conditions overnight. Temperatures will be 56 to 59 degrees and expect up to a third of an inch of rain.

Sunday night temperatures will be 47 to 49 degrees, with winds of 10 to 15 MPH.

Monday looks a lot more interesting but there remains disagreement in the weather models. The Global Forecast System (GFS) is more conservative for storm development while the NAM, ECMWF, and ICON are in agreement a significant wind event is coming to the Straight of Juan de Fuca, the San Juan Islands, and North Washington. We believe this is the day to keep an eye out for a Wind Advisory and could create spotty power outages in the Central Puget Sound lowlands.

Bellevue-Kirkland-Woodinville will see south winds of 15 to 20 MPH and higher gusts. Peak winds will last for up to 12 hours, starting close to lunchtime. South winds move unobstructed across Lake Washington impacting Juanita, Finn Hill, and Kenmore more than other areas. Expect up to half an inch of rain with temperatures from 55 to 57 degrees.

Many leaves remain on trees that suffered significant heat stress over the summer so it won’t take much to bring limbs down.

Monday night temperatures will drop to 48 to 50 degrees and rain will turn to showers. Winds will still be 5 to 15 MPH and continue from the south.

Tuesday another system will arrive along Vancouver Island. This one doesn’t look as strong as Monday’s system, but there is a fair amount of uncertainty in the weather models. Winds will be 10 to 20 MPH for the Bellevue-Kirkland-Woodinville area with up to a half-inch of rain. Temperatures will cool with highs between 53 and 55.

Looking into the crystal ball for the trick or treaters on Halloween, the weather forecast is looking perfect with no rain and highs in the 50s dropping to the mid-40s.