A PinPoint Alert is in effect on Tuesday and tonight.
Rain will continue this afternoon and evening as an atmospheric river flows across our area with increasing intensity.
In the lowlands of Puget Sound there are likely to be widespread rainfall totals of 1-3″ and in the mountains likely 3-6″ or more of rain – especially during the Olympics.
A winter weather advisory is in effect through early Wednesday morning over the Cascades, where 3-10″ of snow is possible before gradually changing to a mix and then rain.
We have had about 5″ so far at Snoqualmie, with a few more inches predicted before the changeover.
Snow levels will rise to 6,000 to 8,000 feet this evening and early Wednesday morning.
Through the lower mountain passes, an easterly wind will likely keep temperatures at or below freezing for an extended period of time, increasing the risk of freezing rain and icy travel late tonight and early tomorrow morning.
The peak of the winds appears to be around 10:00 PM to 3:00 AM, but varies slightly from area to area.
Much of Western Washington is under a wind advisory, including the Puget Sound area.
Southerly winds will be around 30-50 km/h tonight with gusts around 40 to 50 km/h and into the early morning hours on Wednesday.
The advice will last until early tomorrow morning.
There is a high wind warning in place for the coast, with wind speeds of 30 to 60 km/h and gusts of around 50 to 60 km/h possible.
In Mason County, a flood warning is in effect for the Skokomish River, where moderate flooding is expected.
The rain will quickly change to showers on Wednesday morning, with some sunny periods even possible on Wednesday afternoon.
Temperatures will remain above average all week – highs in the low to mid 50s – with a chance of showers each day.
More rain is likely Saturday through Sunday, the first weekend of winter.
Winter officially starts early Saturday morning.
It looks chilly this weekend with possibly a bit more wind on Monday, Tuesday and possibly even Christmas Day.
There is no white Christmas expected.
