Is Pierce County in for thunderstorms over next 24 hours? Here’s the forecast
Pierce County residents, get ready for rainfall and potential thunderstorms later today and Thursday.
According to Tuesday’s National Weather Service brief, a weather system will approach Washington from the Pacific Ocean, increasing the risk for showers and a possible thunderstorm.
Rain showers are expected to begin as early as Wednesday night and linger into Thursday with increased risk for thunderstorms. According to NWS meteorologist Kayla Mazurkiewicz, probabilities for thunderstorm range from 10% to 20%, mostly concentrating over the Cascades crest and eastern mountains. It is unclear how widespread the thunderstorms will be, but they could possibly spread closer to the interior, including the Puget Sound, said Mazurkiewicz.
“Isolated thunderstorms may produce dangerous lightning, gusty winds, small hail, and brief heavy rain which can impact recreationists,” the brief said.
Mazurkiewicz said warm and dry conditions will continue throughout Friday into early next week, increasing the risks of wildfires. The brief warned that if thunderstorms occur, lightning could lead to new fire starts in storm-impacted areas. The NWS has issued a Fire Weather Watch across the Cascades and Olympics, which warns land and fire managers of increased fire danger due to dry fuels and weather conditions.
