MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Rain, dark clouds move in, thunderstorms expected in Washington

Jul 23, 2014, 3:21 AM | Updated: 7:02 am

Signs of a stormy day rolled in Wednesday morning, potentially bringing heavy rain to Western Washington and thunderstorms to Eastern Washington where lightning could spark new wildfires and flash floods could sweep debris down freshly burned hills.

The weather service says an inch-and-a-half of rain could fall in Western Washington breaking records for July 23. The record for that date in Seattle is .54 inches set in 1949.

Meteorologist Johnny Berg said Seattle won’t get as much rain as the mountains – up to 2 inches – but likely closer to half an inch. The record for July 23 in Seattle is .54 inches set in 1949.

“In July, the monthly normal is .70 inches (at Sea-Tac),” said Berg.

The coast could see one inch of rain.

It’s also possible Seattleites will hear some thunder, and Berg said if you do, be safe and head indoors.

If forecasters are completely wrong and we only get a trace of rain on Wednesday, Sea-Tac Airport would have tied for driest July along with 2013, 1960, and 1958.

Firefighters and local authorities are heartened by weather forecasts that call for continued cooler temperatures and higher humidity as they battle a destructive wildfire that has charred hundreds of square miles in Washington state and is the largest in state history.

They just hope that the “lightning watch” also forecast this week doesn’t ignite new fires.

Thunderstorms forecast for Eastern Washington could bring heavy rain to the east slopes of the Cascades. And storms across northeast Washington could produce damaging winds and large hail.

Forecasters expect dry weather will return by the weekend with highs in the 80s in Western Washington and 90s in Eastern Washington.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

MyNorthwest News

KIRO Newsradio gracie awards...

MyNorthwest Staff

KIRO Newsradio anchors receive Gracie Awards for outstanding work

Heather Bosch and Lisa Brooks, anchors at KIRO Newsradio, have been honored by the Alliance for Women in Media with prestigious Gracie Awards.

30 minutes ago

Kia Boys...

Kate Stone, KIRO Newsradio and Bill Kaczaraba, MyNorthwest

‘Kia Boys’ allegedly execute a crime spree in south King County

Renton police chased down a 14-and 16-year-old but are still looking for two other teen suspects in what they said was a "crime spree" in south King County.

2 hours ago

Spanaway woman shot dead...

Kate Stone

Search for shooter continues after woman shot dead while driving in Spanaway

A 47-year-old woman was shot dead in Spanaway, causing her to hit another driver head-on early Wednesday morning.

3 hours ago

nintendo redmond...

Frank Sumrall

Nintendo to lay off 86 Redmond employees this spring

Nintendo of America is laying off 86 contract workers in Redmond, beginning May 25, due to company reorganization.

3 hours ago

Everett boy missing...

Sam Campbell

4-year-old Everett boy missing, police worried he’s in danger

Police and Search and Rescue crews are looking for a missing four-year-old boy they suspect could be in danger.

5 hours ago

Image: The awnings of a store advertise the sale of lottery tickets, including Mega Millions and Po...

Steve Coogan

Lottery jackpots update: Powerball prize jumps again after $1.1B Mega Millions win

A lottery jackpots update: The Powerball prize reached an estimated $935 million ahead of Saturday night's drawing.

14 hours ago

Rain, dark clouds move in, thunderstorms expected in Washington