Hail, high winds expected to hit Tacoma area today. Slight chance of tornado, NWS says
High winds and hail are expected to hit Tacoma and Pierce County around suppertime Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service.
There also is a 5-9 percent chance of a tornado touching down in Western Washington, the NWS said in an afternoon post on X.
“Widespread thunderstorms are expected later this afternoon & evening across Western Washington, along with the threat for severe t-storms. Main hazards we remain concerned about are: Hail, excess of 1” diameter; Wind gusts in excess of 58mph; Isolated, brief tornadoes,” the post reported.
Thunderstorms are forecast to form in the south and might get to the Tacoma area between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m., according to a NWS spokesperson. Wind gusts of up to 58 miles per hours are predicted, and there is a possibility of quarter-size hail.
The thunderstorms are expected to clear out in three to four hours and not linger into the morning.
During the severe weather, the NWS recommends people stay inside and get their cars under cover if possible.
Pierce County residents can sign up for alerts from the county regarding emergencies or other important news through the Emergency Alert Program.
Pierce Transit is offering free rides to weather shelters in the county. The list of locations can be found on the county’s website.
This story was originally published March 26, 2025 at 11:02 AM.
