Flood watch through Wednesday as record-breaking rainfall dumps on Tacoma area
Buckle up for a wet week in the Tacoma area. The National Weather Service reports an extended period of rainfall is likely across much of Western Washington as several systems make their way through.
The NWS reported that 2.01 inches of rain had fallen in the Tacoma area Monday as of 2 p.m., shattering the previous daily rainfall record for Feb. 28 of 0.66 inches in 2013. The records are for rainfall measured from the weather station at the Tacoma Narrows Airport. More rain is on the way, with between a half inch and three-quarters of an inch of rain predicted for overnight.
It was forecast to be breezy, too, with south-southwest winds of 20 to 22 mph Monday with gusts as high as 29 mph. The predicted high temperature was 56 degrees, and the low was expected to be 52 degrees overnight.
The chance of rain Tuesday and Wednesday was forecast at 80 percent. Forecasters predicted a 40 percent chance of rain Thursday and a slight chance for Friday.
A flood warning was in effect through 7 a.m. Tuesday in the Tacoma area, and a flood watch was in effect through 3 p.m. Wednesday. The heaviest rainfall is expected across the coast, Olympics and Cascades, with river flooding highly likely. The NWS reported heavy rainfall could lead to flooding in low-lying areas, near underpasses and areas with poor drainage.
The weather made for slick roads Monday morning. The Washington State Department of Transportation urged drivers to use caution and leave more space between vehicles.
In the mountains, snow was continuing to fall as of 3 a.m. Monday at both Stevens Pass and Snoqualmie Pass. Snow levels are continuing to rise, but the NWS said light easterly winds were keeping it cold enough for snow.
The passes were closed in both directions Monday morning due to heavy snowfall with no estimated time of reopening.
That snow was expected to transition to rain Monday morning, and an additional three to six inches of water is expected to fall in the Olympics and Cascades by late Tuesday afternoon.
This story was originally published February 28, 2022 at 8:31 AM.
