Major storm rips through Western Washington overnight
Aug 16, 2024, 12:09 PM | Updated: Aug 17, 2024, 9:22 pm
Lightning in Washington. (Photo: Matt McGee via Flickr Creative Commons)
(Photo: Matt McGee via Flickr Creative Commons)
As predicted, a major storm swept through Western Washington overnight, bringing rain, lightning, and thunder.
Several inches of rain were seen across the region as the storm caused traffic headaches and flight delays at Sea-Tac Airport.
Showers and thunderstorms are currently tracking south to north across W WA. This activity is expected to continue throughout the evening. #wawx pic.twitter.com/3gwYV4jD2Q
— NWS Seattle (@NWSSeattle) August 18, 2024
bringing rain, lightning, and thunder.
Showers tracked from from south to north through the region. An upper-level low off the Pacific Northwest coast brought in a prominent weather system. The weather pattern triggered the showers and thunderstorms.
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The thunderstorms came with plenty of lightning, brief heavy rainfall and blustery winds. It has been a while since the region has had such a thunderstorm outbreak. The last such event was in May of 2017. Parts of Thurston County were hammered by bursts of heavy rainfall and brief strong damaging winds, blowing down trees and producing local power outages.
This weather system will move north of the region later Sunday morning with lingering spotty showers and cooler temperatures with highs in the upper 60s to mid-70s.
This summer thus far has been quite warm and dry. The last really substantial widespread rainfall was back in early June. The rainfall associated with this weekend’s weather system unfortunately will likely be more spotty versus widespread, yet helpful regarding the ongoing dry conditions. The moisture and higher humidity with this weather pattern should help the wildfire fighting efforts with the fire near Brinnon on the Olympic Peninsula.
Western Washington lightning could start fires
The lightning with these thunderstorms also could start local fires. Yet, the showers and moisture in the air with higher humidity should dampen any such fire starts.
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If you happen to take pictures of the lightning or have great weather photos, submit them to MyNorthwest’s Share With Us page.
Contributing: Bill Kaczaraba, MyNorthwest
Ted Buehner is the KIRO Newsradio meteorologist. You can read more of Ted’s stories here and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter.
