Flooding deemed unlikely on North Olympic Peninsula, but watch issued for weekend storm anyway

Break out the umbrella.

A wet, warm Pacific storm is taking aim at Western Washington, with the bulk of precipitation coming Saturday and Sunday.

The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for the North Olympic Peninsula lowlands and the entire Puget Sound basin.

Forecasters say it could be the wettest storm Western Washington has seen in two years.

But Johnny Burg, meteorologist with the Weather Service in Seattle, said the rainmaker is expected to hit the south side of the Olympic Mountains and spare the North Olympic Peninsula from the worst of the rain.

“Most of the flow is southerly,” Burg said.

Some area lowlands, including the Pacific coast, will see up to 2 inches of rain Saturday night into Sunday morning, Burg said.

“Rain will be heavy at times after midnight,” he said.

“For Port Angeles and Port Townsend, it’s looking like they’re going to get maybe an inch.”

Mason County is under a flood warning.

The Weather Service said the Skokomish River “seems certain” to flood.

None of the rivers on the North Olympic Peninsula was listed for a moderate flood threat as of Thursday.

“Weather models differ in the details, but it is likely that heavy rain will begin Saturday night, continue Sunday and end Monday,” a Weather Service statement read.

“The direction and exact location of the heaviest rain is uncertain. However, heavy rain is likely and in amounts likely to cause flooding on some rivers.”

The Weather Service said small streams could overflow their banks if rain is heavy enough, and urban flooding is possible where drainage is poor.

A winter weather advisory is in effect for the Olympic Mountains, and a storm warning is up for the Cascades.

Burg said the snow level in the Olympics is about 3,000 feet and will rise as the system moves in.

“It’s mostly a rain event,” Burg said.

“We’re not looking at any high winds. Most of the concern is rain.”

Penelope Linterman, Clallam County Emergency Management program coordinator, issued a preliminary advisory Thursday.

It read: “This storm system is the largest we’ve seen for at least two years and will bring significant precipitation and likely flooding on some area rivers.”

Linterman later said the direction of the storm is unstable and could change.

“It depends on which way it shifts as to whether or not we will be impacted here,” she said.

Forks, one of the rainiest areas in the nation, is on the verge of hitting 10 feet of precipitation this year. Forks had 119.66 inches of precipitation this year as of Thursday.

________

Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.

More in News

Roxanne Pfiefer-Fisher, a volunteer with a team from Walmart, sorts through sections of what will become a slide during Wednesday’s opening day of a community rebuild of the Dream Playground at Erickson Playfield in Port Angeles. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Volunteers flock to Dream Playground to start build

Group effort reminds organizers of efforts in 2021, 2002

Lawsuit over pool ban is planned

Lawyers say they’re suing city of Port Townsend, YMCA

Peninsula Behavioral Health adds 3 programs

Services help those experiencing psychosis, provide housing

Michael Anderson of Gibsons, British Columbia tries his hand at flying a kite in the gusty winds of Point Hudson on Monday afternoon. Anderson was on the last leg of an RV vacation around the Olympic Peninsula with his wife and dog and planned on spending the next two nights at the Point Hudson Marina RV Park before they head home. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Let’s go fly a kite

Michael Anderson of Gibsons, British Columbia tries his hand at flying a… Continue reading

Residents against store proposal

Hearing examiner meeting set Thursday

Jefferson County wants to increase curbside service for trash

Congestion at transfer station increasing costs, manager says

Port of PA to replace John Wayne Marina ramp

Boat launch will include components from Port of Friday Harbor

The aurora borealis, also known as the Northern Lights, illuminate the sky on Friday night into Saturday morning at Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park south of Port Angeles. A G5 magnetic storm created conditions for the aurora to be visible to large portions of North America, including hundreds of people who ventured to the ridge to watch the geomagnetic spectacle. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Lighting up the sky

The aurora borealis, also known as the Northern Lights, illuminate the sky… Continue reading

Revisions to Clallam County's code propose provisions for farms countywide, such as requiring guides for farm tours or clearly marked areas visitors can go. Retail stores are also proposed to be 1,000 square feet or less. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
Hearing set for farm standards

Proposal before Clallam County Planning Commission

194-lot subdivision proposed for Carlsborg property

Planner: Single largest development in past 20 years

Port Angeles school board to set up public forum

Directors to meet with community on budget concerns

Chimacum man arrested for firing gun during dispute

66-year-old charged with assault, reckless endangerment