Pacific Northwest drenched by abnormal amounts of rain
Mar 15, 2017, 11:32 AM
(File, KIRO 7)
(File, KIRO 7)
You’re not crazy, it’s been raining way more than usual in the Pacific Northwest.
Between March 7 to March 13, the Pacific Northwest has been drenched by 200-600 percent of its normal rainfall, according to University of Washington Professor of Atmospheric Sciences Cliff Mass.
Related: Increased threat of landslides across western Washington
Data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows that much of the Puget Sound region received between 200-400 percent of average rainfall. The Cascades received between 5-10 inches of precipitation over the past week.
In the past 72 hours alone, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport has received 1.61 inches of rain, according to NOAA.
This boils down to one major issue in the area: flooding.
The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for King and Lewis counties.
The Green River near Auburn is expected to crest Wednesday night.
“It’s got a ways to go in order to get there,” Meteorologist Allen Kam said, adding that the latest forecast will likely do just that.
Kam says the White River will also likely flood Wednesday night.
Check all the areas with flood warnings
There could be a lull in the rainfall around Puget Sound overnight Wednesday and into Thursday morning, according to the Weather Service.
Friday is expected to be somewhat dry. However, by Friday afternoon, rain is expected to move back in to make for more soggy weather.
An abnormally wet first half of March was preceded by the second wettest February on record and the coldest winter since 1985. It was also the snowiest since 2009.
At least our water supply is looking good.
