VIDEO: Flooding & Landslide Concerns in Greater Seattle Area
Another round of heavy rainfall is on the way for northwest Washington this weekend. This comes after weeks of wetter-than-average weather so far this year. Here’s a short video of the forecast which aired on WeatherNation Friday evening.
Early February is typically the rainy season for the Pacific Northwest so it is not totally unreasonable to get this wet weather, however it has been rainy since January 1. Take a look:
We asked the following question via social media Thursday; whether the streak of cloudy/rainy days has gotten anyone ‘down.’
Would the clouds get you down? Or folks in Seattle; is it not a problem? January was pretty cloudy and wet in the Seattle-Tacoma area…but it is the rainy season after all @NWSSeattle #WAwx pic.twitter.com/5BDWmcA1kx
— WeatherNation (@WeatherNation) February 2, 2018
This is the reason a flood watch was posted for northwest Washington. Think of the ground as a sponge. If the sponge is saturated (recent rainfall filling up the soil) then it can’t handle as much incoming rain, as compared to a dry sponge that can absorb more rainfall.
That said, take it slow on the roads and allow extra time for travel. Surfaces will be slick and especially across the mountain passes. Snow levels will range between 5,000 and 7,000 feet above sea level. This moisture will result in feet of snow for the Northwest mountain peaks. The Northwest will dry out late Monday.
BE CAREFUL ON THE ROADS! Whether it be snow or rain, please drive safely on wet roads. This will continue for the Friday commute across parts of the NW #wawx pic.twitter.com/4xigD3IL5b
— WeatherNation (@WeatherNation) February 2, 2018
For WeatherNation, Meteorologist Steve Glazier