Flooding, Landslides, And Wind Gusts: Wild Western WA Forecast

SEATTLE — Meteorologists say the current forecast has it all: heavy rains, potential for street flooding, a threat of landslides, heavy snowfall in the mountains and even gusty winds and dangerous beach conditions.

Western Washington has had a stormy start to 2021, and it isn't likely to let up soon. On Tuesday morning, the National Weather Service predicted a suite of new weather hazards over the next 48 hours. Here's what residents will want to watch out for.

Heavy rainfall and potential flooding

Most of western Washington's current weather problems start with the rain, so let's start there as well.

Forecasters are predicting two to three inches of rain for much of the Olympic Peninsula. Meanwhile Puget Sound will see between half an inch and an inch of rain — which, combined with recent rainfall, brings the potential for roadway and urban flooding. River flooding is also expected to continue along the Skokomish and Chehalis rivers.

If you encounter a flooded roadway, the National Weather Service warning is "turn around, don't drown." Most flood-related deaths happen in vehicles, so it is always a safer choice to avoid flooded roads when possible.

Landslide threat continues

The rain that's flooding the streets is also saturating the hillsides, and that means a heightened risk of landslides for elevations below 3,000 feet. Already the state saw several minor mudslides this weekend in the peninsula and there have been several slides in the days since, including one Monday morning in the city of Edgewood.

As with flooded roads, landslides can be a major concern for drivers, so officials warn commuters to continue to drive with caution while the threat remains.

According to FEMA, landslide warning signs include: leaning trees or power poles, windows and doors sticking when they didn't before, and slowly widening cracks in home foundations.

The increased threat of landslides is expected to last at least through Thursday.

Gusty winds

Strong southerly winds are predicted for much of the day Tuesday, though they are expected to die down in the evening.

As with the rain, the Olympic Peninsula will be hid hardest, though winds will be strong all along the north coast from the San Juans to western Whatcom County. Beaches will be especially dangerous, and could see waves up to 22 feet tall, with winds soaring to nearly 55 miles per hour.

Puget Sound won't see anything like those 55 mph beach winds, but it won't be any slouch either, with winds between 20 - 25 mph in Seattle and up to 30 mph in the Tacoma area.

Fortunately, the gusts are expected to peak late Tuesday and calm significantly overnight, with only lingering breezes Wednesday.

Mountain snow continues

Finally, the heavy rain in the lowlands will mean snowfall in the mountains and passes. Mt. Rainier has already seen 40 inches of snow since the new year began, and even more will be piling up over the coming two days. Forecasters say they expect anywhere between 5 inches to a foot of snow in elevations above 3,000 feet. As a result, anyone who is driving through the passes this week is advised to check road conditions before heading out.