Strong winds, rain expected in Olympia area through Tuesday
Olympia area residents will likely have a windy and rainy start to their week with the arrival of a strong storm system.
The storm will batter Western Washington from Sunday night to Tuesday morning, according to the National Weather Service in Seattle.
In the Olympia area, the NWS predicts wind gusts could reach 25-30 miles per hour over the next couple of days. Strong gusts could break tree limbs, cause power outages or damage temporary structures.
A wind advisory will be in effect from 2 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday. The NWS recommends residents drive cautiously and secure outdoor objects during that time.
Winds are forecast to be strongest along the Pacific Coast where gusts may reach as high as 50-55 miles per hour, according to the NWS. This will likely cause dangerous beach conditions with waves reaching 20 feet or more Monday night.
Though inland areas will be spared the strongest winds, the NWS says the duration of the winds may still cause significant damage.
Monday morning is expected to be rainy with the possibility of a thunderstorm after 11 a.m. in the Olympia area, the NWS says. The forecast indicates temperatures will peak at 46 degrees Monday and later cool to 37 degrees at night.
Residents are expected to see about 0.10-0.25 inches of rain on Monday, but isolated thunderstorms could bring higher amounts.
Locally heavy rain may result in some river flooding by Monday morning, per the NWS. This will likely cause the Skokomish River in Mason County to reach flood stage.
Mountain snow also is expected Monday due to the storm. Snowfall may reach 20 inches at Stevens Pass and 15 inches at the Snoqualmie Pass.
Travel conditions over mountain passes may be complicated by visibility-reducing blowing snow, according to the NWS.
Tuesday morning in the Olympia area will likely be rainy, according to forecasters, but it should be mostly sunny with a high in the mid 50s later in the day. Winds also should calm by then to about 7-13 miles per hour.
The good news: Sunny weather can be expected the rest of the week. And temperatures could reach into the 70s on Thursday.
This story was originally published April 3, 2022 at 11:36 AM.
