Heavy Rain Forecast Tonight Fuels Ongoing Flood Concerns

Western Washington is facing increasing concerns over flooding as another round of heavy rain approaches. Following last week’s historic flooding, the forecast predicts aggravated conditions through Thursday, with some relief expected by the weekend. Significant rainfall and wind will hit the region before colder air arrives, bringing snow to the mountains later this week.

Heavy Rain Forecast Tonight

The heavy rain is anticipated to start in the late morning and will continue into the evening. Residents can expect widespread rainfall, especially during the evening commute. High winds, with gusts reaching up to 50 mph, are also expected. Rainfall amounts may exceed one inch in lowland areas and could reach three inches in mountainous regions.

Weather Alerts and Warnings

• Winter storm warnings are active for the Cascade and Olympic mountains.
• Over a foot of snow is forecasted at Snoqualmie Pass, with up to three feet possible around Mount Baker.
• A Flash Flood Warning prompted an immediate evacuation in Pacific due to a levee breach on the White River.

Emergency responders are actively constructing temporary flood defenses using sandbags as they work alongside the Army Corps of Engineers to evaluate damage and plan next steps. Just recently, a breach was reported at the Desimone Levee along the Green River, leading to further evacuations and flash flood alerts.

Regional Impact and Precautions

The National Weather Service has placed Skagit County under a Level 2 Flood Watch, applicable until Thursday afternoon. Residents in the 100-year floodplain are advised to stay alert and prepared for possible evacuations.

In Snohomish County, residents are still managing the aftermath of last week’s flooding. Although water levels in the Snohomish River have receded, there remains a substantial risk of a return to flood stage through the end of the week. Significant damage has also led to the closure of State Route 2 due to flooding and mudslides.

Officials are closely monitoring groundwater levels, particularly near Mukilteo. The risk of additional landslides has heightened, prompting geological assessments along major highways throughout the area.