Areal Flood Watch

Seattle/Bremerton Area
Areal Flood Watch
Statement as of 11:59 AM PDT on March 29, 2011

... Flood Watch remains in effect from Wednesday afternoon through Friday afternoon...

The Flood Watch continues for

* portions of western Washington... including the following counties... Clallam... Jefferson... Skagit... Whatcom... King... Lewis... Mason... Pierce... Snohomish... Thurston... .

* from Wednesday afternoon through Friday afternoon

* a warm frontal system will spread rain into western Washington later tonight and Wednesday. The frontal band is expected to stall over the area for a 24 to 48 hour period producing heavy precipitation along the coast and mountains. Freezing levels will rise dramatically to 7000-9000 feet during the period which raises the threat of flooding on some rivers.

* The Skokomish River in Mason County is the river most likely to flood... possibly by late Wednesday. However... 48 hour rainfall amounts of up to 5 inches in the Olympics and 4 to 7 inches in the central Cascades will drive rivers such as Snoqualmie... Snohomish... and stillaguamish to flood. There is a chance the Snohomish river will reach major flood.

* Less amounts of rainfall are expected elsewhere but will cause sharp rises on other Rives and may also cause some additional rivers running off the Cascades and Olympics to flood. Grays Harbor and Kitsap counties may also be impacted and could be added to the Flood Watch later. Scattered landslides in areas that receive heavy rain may also occur.

Precautionary/preparedness actions...

A Flood Watch means conditions are favorable for flooding but flooding is not imminent or occurring. Monitor the latest forecasts from the National Weather Service and be ready to act quickly if flooding is observed or a warning is issued.