Western Washington Prepares for a Very Wet Christmas Amid Atmospheric River Forecast

Western Washington is preparing for a very wet Christmas as atmospheric river fronts are expected to bring heavy rainfall and gusty winds, along with snowfall in the mountains. The first front will arrive on Christmas afternoon and continue through Wednesday night, with additional systems following through the weekend. National Weather Service meteorologist Jacob DeFlitch has noted that while these weather events are significant, they are not anticipated to reach the severity of the last atmospheric river that caused winds of 40 to 45 miles per hour. Tacoma and Olympia are forecasted to experience southerly winds of 30 to 40 miles per hour, with rainfall estimates of 2 to 3 inches from Wednesday morning to Friday afternoon. Temperatures in the region will be slightly above average, with highs on Christmas in the upper 40s and expected to reach the 50s later in the week.

As conditions worsen in mountainous regions, travelers are advised to stay updated on forecasts due to expected snowfall. DeFlitch emphasized the importance of caution and preparedness as weather conditions evolve over the holiday period, indicating that residents can expect a very wet Christmas instead of a traditional white holiday.