First heavy rain of season breaks record
Oct 23, 2014, 7:05 AM | Updated: 7:06 am
If there’s any doubt the rainy season is officially here, just look out the window.
Meteorologist Johnny Berg at the National Weather Service in Seattle said the first heavy rain of the year won’t stop until next week.
“By (Thursday) there will be showers with a chance of thunderstorms, rainfall amounts from 1/4 to a half-inch possible.”
The National Weather Service reported a rain record was broken at Sea-Tac Airport Wednesday afternoon. As of 3:17 p.m., 0.89 of rain had fallen, breaking the record of 0.87 back in 1985.
Washington State Trooper Chris Webb reported troopers investigated 44 collisions in King County alone by 10:30 a.m. Wednesday. Two jackknifed semi-trucks on I-5, one near Mercer Street and another at the Puyallup River Bridge, forced traffic to a screeching halt.
The West Seattle Blog tweeted, “If you drive (or ride/walk) under the bridge at Avalon/Harbor, beware of splashover from hydroplaning traffic above!”
Your best bet for a reprieve? Friday is expected to be partly cloudy with a chance of showers.
As for Halloween, Berg said it’s still too early to be specific, but some forecasters say it’ll be wetter and a little warmer than usual.
In the mountains, areas around Stevens Pass could see up to three inches of snow as the snow level drops to 4,500 feet on Sunday. The snow level will then climb to above 5,000 feet.
A flood warning is in effect for the Skokomish River in Mason County until Thursday morning. Minor flooding is forecast.
A wind advisory for the North Sound has been lifted. The National Weather Service reported peak winds as of 3:30 a.m. in Washington of 41 mph at Hoquiam, 63 at Lopez Island, 48 Bellingham and 48 at Whidbey Island.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
