Flood Watch Continues for Whatcom County

National Weather Service Seattle Wa
818 pm pst fri dec 26 2008

A warm and wet pacific storm began to scour out the cold air mass over Western Washington this evening. The snow level will briefly rise 4000 to 5000 foot tonight or early Saturday...before dropping down to the 2000 feet or less Saturday night. Precipitation changed to all rain in the lowlands early this evening. The rain...which will last on and off into Sunday...will melt the snow over the lowlands. This could cause urban and small stream flooding in many areas...and a few main stem rivers in Southwest Washington could also approach or exceed flood stage.

Flood Watch remains in effect through Sunday morning...for * portions of Western Washington...including the following   counties... Grays Harbor...Clallam...Island...Jefferson...San   Juan...Skagit...Whatcom...King...Kitsap...Lewis...Mason...
  Pierce...Snohomish...Thurston.

* Through Sunday morning

* A pacific storm will bring warmer air and raise the snow level significantly. The combination of increasing southerly winds...  milder temperatures...and rain on snow will result in rapid   snow melt across the lowlands tonight and Saturday. There is   also the potential for minor flooding of the Skokomish River   Saturday as the snow level climbs to near 5000 feet on the   Olympic range.

* The combination of rain and melting snow across the lowlands   could result in urban and small stream flooding...especially   in those areas where a foot or more of snow was still on the   ground. Snow and ice may result in clogging of storm drains   that could result in flooding of streets and...possibly..  homes and businesses.

* The Chehalis river and its tributaries could also approach or   exceed flood stage. Up to two feet of snow covers the Chehalis  watershed and it will all likely melt by Sunday. That water... Along   with the rain...will cause the rivers of southwest Washington to   rise significantly.

Precautionary/preparedness actions...

A flood watch means conditions are favorable for flooding but flooding is not imminent or occurring. Monitor the latest forecasts from the national weather service and be ready to act quickly if flooding is observed or a warning is issued.

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