Heavy rain, wind headed to Tacoma area this weekend. Snow to slam mountain passes

Forecasters are calling for a wet, breezy weekend in the Tacoma area with a chance of snow showers by the middle of next week.

If you are planning to drive east of the Cascades, be advised that snow levels were expected to drop to pass elevations Friday night with a foot or more possible Friday night into Saturday evening at Snoqualmie Pass, according to the National Weather Service Office in Seattle.

Rain was expected in the Tacoma area throughout Friday, becoming heavy in the evening hours, according to the Weather Service. Winds up to 26 mph, gusting to 34 mph, also are forecast.

“Rain totals in the lowlands 1 to 1.5 inches which could result in ponding of water on roadways,” according to Weather Service advisory issued Friday morning.

Rain and wind were expected to continue until about midday Saturday, with another half inch possible, before transitioning to showers in the afternoon. Rain showers were forecast through Sunday, Monday and most of Tuesday, the Weather Service said.

Snow showers are likely in the Tacoma area from Tuesday evening into Wednesday, forecasters said, with overnight lows Tuesday dipping into the mid-30s.

Elsewhere in the region, strong winds were possible along the Washington coast and the Northwest Interior, including Whatcom, Skagit and Island counties, with sustained winds as high as 40 mph and gusting to 60 mph Friday night and Saturday.

Forecasters also were calling for heavy rain over the South Slopes of the Olympics, and possible moderate flooding of the Skokomish River in Mason County on Saturday.

This story was originally published December 10, 2021 at 11:41 AM.