Atmospheric River Brings Heavy Rain Gusty Winds Western Washington

Seattle and the surrounding areas are expecting a prolonged wet spell due to an atmospheric river bringing heavy rain and gusty winds through the weekend, with precipitation totals ranging from half an inch to 1.5 inches. Winds of 20 to 30 mph on Saturday may cause localized flooding and power outages due to fallen tree limbs, with conditions remaining breezy into Sunday despite slightly weaker rainfall. Mountain snowfall is anticipated, prompting seasonal closures of passes near Mount Rainier, and forecasts suggest a potentially strong atmospheric river starting on Halloween that could bring significant flooding and winds. In Clark County near Seattle, a storm moving inland will bring wind gusts up to 40 to 45 mph, likely stripping leaves from trees and raising the risk of power outages, though flooding is not expected due to currently low stream and river levels. Residents are advised to clear storm drains to mitigate street flooding and to drive carefully due to wet roads and poor visibility. Temperatures will remain mild in the mid-50s to low 60s, with rain likely continuing into early next week.