Western Washington Braces for Another Round of Storms

SEATTLE — Residents of western Washington are currently experiencing a brief respite from severe weather as another major storm system is anticipated to arrive by early Friday morning, meteorologists report. Following a tumultuous period marked by intense winds and heavy rainfall that caused significant damage earlier in the week, the region is preparing for further adverse conditions.

The previous storm, described as a bomb cyclone, developed off the coast and wreaked havoc across western Washington. The violent weather resulted in widespread power outages affecting hundreds of thousands, while several individuals were injured and two fatalities reported. Emergency services have been working tirelessly to manage the aftermath, with many residents still facing disrupted utilities.

According to KING 5 Chief Meteorologist Mike Everett, the forthcoming weather system is expected to be less severe than its predecessor. «Don’t expect anything like what we just saw,» Everett commented, noting that while winds might reach up to 60 to 70 miles per hour, the primary concerns remain loose power poles and weakened trees which could easily collapse even in moderate conditions.

Forecasts indicate that the Puget Sound area will experience intermittent coastal showers and storms from Wednesday night into Thursday morning, with a temporary lull anticipated during the daytime hours. Notably, waterspouts were observed offshore in Pacific County on Wednesday afternoon, although there have been no reports of these reaching land.

Everett adds that the remnants of the bomb cyclone remain potent, maintaining a hurricane-like appearance although it has diminished in severity since moving further offshore. Thursday’s weather forecast suggests a mix of rain showers and sunny intervals, with temperatures estimated to range between the mid-40s and 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

However, Friday is expected to herald a new weather system bringing heavy rains to the foothills, snow across the mountainous regions, and strong winds throughout the affected areas. In response to these predictions, KING 5 plans to initiate a First Alert, advising residents to prepare for potentially hazardous conditions impacting safety, infrastructure, and travel.

Crucially, Everett indicates that the early hours of Friday, between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m., will likely witness winds exceeding 40 mph, particularly in the Cascade foothills. Many areas, particularly from Enumclaw to Sammamish, remain vulnerable given the existing damage from earlier storms and persistent power outages.