Dry conditions plus arrival of windy, wet weather may mean power, roadway issues

Power outages, oily wet roads, and quickly rising creeks and streams are a few of the consequences predicted to come as a result of the return of the rain after our long stretch of dry weather.

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The National Weather Service says a series of Pacific fronts starting to move into the Northwest Friday will bring the first significant rain since spring, with the heaviest amounts Sunday and Monday.

The NWS issued a Special Weather Statement highlighting the risks of oil buildup on roadways mixing with fresh rain, the potential for heavy leaf fall to clog drains, and the anticipated sharp rise in rivers as concerns as the first major rain of the season arrives.

Power providers are also warning the change in weather could mean power outages in the area.

Scott Thomsen with Seattle City Light says the dry conditions combined with rain and wind could mean a lot of falling tree debris.

“Because it’s been so dry, those trees are much more likely to shed a lot of those leaves quickly when something like that does come through,” says Thomsen. “Anything like that, that comes falling down has the potential to get in the power lines and cause a short going across a couple of the lines and that can cause outages.”

Amounts of rain in Western Washington could total 1 to 4 inches on the coast, 3 to 8 inches in the Olympics and Cascades and 1 to 4 inches in the interior lowlands.

Forecasters also expect breezy winds at times, which could bring down a few trees.

Thomsen says this first storm is a great reason to get prepared for more potential challenging weather this season. He recommends checking takewinterbystorm.org for a full list of recommended emergency preparedness items.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
KIRO Radio Editor Bob Larson contributed to this report.