First Alert weather days declared through Friday due to hazardous conditions – The KING 5 weather team issued First Alert weather days because of heavy lowland rain, mountain snow, gusty winds, heightened avalanche danger and potential local flooding, urging residents to stay alert [1].
Wednesday brings intense rain, 40‑50 mph gusts and rising snow levels – Rain will be heavy all day with wind gusts of 40‑50 mph, highs in the upper 40s to around 50 °F, and snow levels climbing from 2,500 ft in the morning to 4,000‑5,000 ft by evening, then dropping after midnight [1].
Blizzard Warning issued for the Olympics and Cascades Wed‑Thu – A Blizzard Warning runs from Wednesday 6 p.m. to Thursday 5 a.m., expecting gusty winds that will blow snow, create low visibility and hazardous driving conditions on mountain passes [1].
Winter Weather Advisory, Wind Advisory and Flood Watch now active – A Winter Weather Advisory covers the Cascades and Olympics until 6 p.m. today, followed by a Blizzard Warning and then a Winter Storm Warning through Saturday 5 a.m.; a Wind Advisory runs 3 p.m.‑6 a.m. Thursday, and a Flood Watch is in effect for the western and southern Olympic Peninsula, Middle Chehalis River Valley, Olympia, southern Puget Sound, Olympics, southern Hood Canal, Willapa and Black [2][3][4].
Snow levels expected to rise to 6,000‑8,000 ft by early next week with multiple feet of snow – Models predict snow levels climbing to 6,000‑8,000 ft by Monday‑Tuesday and several feet of accumulation throughout the week, while a high‑pressure ridge will bring a brief break Saturday into Sunday [1].
WSDOT likely to conduct avalanche control, prompting temporary pass closures – The Washington State Department of Transportation may perform avalanche control during the day, which could temporarily close mountain passes; motorists are advised to check the Northwest Avalanche Center forecast before traveling [1].