Rain is coming back to Olympia, whether you like it or not
Whether you’ve loved the recent streak of cold, clear days or stood shivering, waiting for them to end, change is coming.
A train of rain-soaking storms will begin drenching South Sound as December begins, leaving a dry November behind. Olympia typically gets more than 9 inches of rain in November; just 5.6 inches fell in November 2023.
The first in the series of storms arrived Thursday afternoon. The cloud cover pushed temperatures into the 40s, after a week when temperatures dipped as low as the 20s.
Snow elevations rose to 2,500 feet Thursday evening, and Snoqualmie Pass was expected to receive 3 to 5 inches of snow.
A stronger storm system will reach Western Washington on Friday, bringing more rain, gusty winds and mountain snow.
The National Weather Service has issued a storm warning for 24 to 36 inches of snow in the Cascades. The warning is in effect from 4 a.m. Friday through 4 a.m. Sunday, during which travel is expected to be “very difficult.”
The weather service also issued a wintry weather advisory for up to 16 inches of snow in the Olympics from 4 a.m. Friday through 4 a.m. Saturday.
Mountain snow will impact Interstate 90 and Highways 97, 2 and 12.
Another system will roll into the region Saturday evening. Yep, more rain.
Breezy conditions and mountain snow will accompany this front, although snow elevations look to rise to around 4,000 feet, limiting snow accumulation and possibly producing snowmelt runoff and rising rivers, the weather service said.
Then on Sunday, the first of two atmospheric rivers will dump drenching rain, with the heaviest downpours expected around the Olympic mountains and the Cascades.
Snow elevations will continue to rise above 6,000 feet, allowing for heavy rain to drive Skokomish River and possibly others to flood stage.
A second atmospheric river is expected to flow from Monday through Wednesday.
Temperatures will warm above 50 degrees, snow elevations will rise to at least 7,000 feet and another round of winds and rain will cause even more problems for rivers.
This story was originally published November 30, 2023 at 1:42 PM.