Key Highlights
- Winds over 60 mph hit Western Washington Wednesday evening.
- A low-pressure system brought heavy rain to Seattle and snow to the mountains.
- Over 78,000 customers lost power in the region.
- The Cascades will see up to 36 inches of powder by Friday.
Weather Wreaks Havoc on Western Washington
Stormy weather hit hard Wednesday, with gusts over 60 mph in some areas. The atmospheric river carried strong winds and brought blizzard conditions to the Cascades and Olympics.
The National Weather Service confirmed that sustained winds of over 30 mph swept into Grays Harbor County around noon, lasting for nine hours. A gust clocked at 105 mph was recorded at Chinook Pass, east of Mount Rainier.
Power Outages and Widespread Disruption
The power grid struggled to keep up with the intense weather. By Wednesday night, over 78,000 customers in Western Washington lost electricity. Grays Harbor PUD reported over 45,000 outages as of 9 p.m., affecting a county population of just 78,000.
The Snohomish County PUD and Seattle City Light also faced significant power losses, with more than 16,400 Puget Sound Energy customers left in the dark.
Despite challenges, most outages were being remedied quickly by utility companies. “Our system is standing up to it really well,” said Snohomish County PUD spokesperson Aaron Swaney.
The Cascades Bear the Brunt of the Blizzard
The slopes of the Cascades and Olympics will remain under a blizzard warning until 5 a.m. Friday, with up to 36 inches of powder predicted near Snoqualmie Pass. The weather has forced I-90 to close briefly in both directions between North Bend and Cle Elum.
Visibility was reduced almost to zero at times due to the heavy snowfall and strong winds. “It’s creating almost white-out conditions,” said meteorologist Anna Lindeman.
Potential for Flooding in Lowland Areas
The Skokomish River and other lowland basins may see flooding over the next few days, but King County is not forecasting any river flooding. “The rivers are running high,” said Lindeman, adding that this isn’t necessarily a cause for concern.
