Landslide danger for soggy western Washington
Mar 3, 2014, 5:31 AM | Updated: 4:45 pm
The sun popped out for awhile Monday afternoon, but forecasters say it’s short lived. A series of Pacific storms this week will bring rain to most of Washington.
According to KING 5’s Mary Lee, a warm front has stalled out along the coast, bringing rain and an end to the winter weather in Whatcom and San Juan counties.
Lows are expected in the mid-30s in those areas with lows in 40s across the Puget Sound area.
The extra precipitation means saturated, unstable soil for area hills and cliffs. The National Weather Service issued a Special Weather Statement for most areas west of the Cascades, including the Peninsula and San Juan Islands, warning of landslide potential.
“Landslides have already been reported in various locations in western Washington, including near North Bend,” according to the NWS.
Forecasters say the risk increases Wednesday through Thursday when 1 to 3 inches of rain is expected to fall.
The front is also responsible for snow at higher mountain elevations. The Washington State Department of Transportation closed I-90 over Snoqualmie Pass in both directions due to continuing slide activity and extremely heavy snow fall, but reopened the roadway around 4:30 pm Monday.
An avalanche warning is in effect for the west slopes of the Cascades through Monday evening.
The National Weather Service says there may be a break at the end of the week before more weekend rain.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
