Heavy Rainfall Forecasted for Western Washington This Christmas

A significant weather event is approaching Western Washington, with an atmospheric river set to bring heavy rainfall and gusty winds just in time for Christmas. Meteorologist Jacob DeFlitch from the National Weather Service reports that the first of several fronts will arrive on Christmas afternoon, with additional systems expected through Saturday. Tacoma and Olympia may experience southerly winds of 30 to 40 miles per hour; however, these conditions are projected to be less intense than previous storms that caused wind gusts of up to 45 miles per hour. Rainfall totals are expected to reach 2 to 3 inches in lowland areas by Friday afternoon, while mountain regions are likely to see increased snowfall. Temperatures in Tacoma and Olympia are forecasted to be above average, with highs in the upper 40s on Christmas Day and in the 50s later in the week.

Travelers are urged to remain vigilant and monitor weather updates as conditions may change rapidly. This evolving weather pattern highlights the region's unique climatic challenges, especially during winter months.