While the East Coast is gearing up to be hammered, we are looking forward to our own problems - National Weather Service issued at 511PM today:
Hydrologic Outlook
A wet and mild air mass is anticipated to develop this weekend, resulting in snow levels rising above 5500 feet and periods of heavy rain. Strong southwest winds will result in the heaviest rains falling on the southwest-facing slopes of the Olympics and Cascades. At this time, total rainfall amounts in the mountains are anticipated to be in the 7 to 12 inch range on the Olympics and the 4 to 8 inch range in the Cascades. The lowlands could pick up 1 to 4 inches of rain during the same period. This amount of rain on top of what has already fallen, and what is expected the next couple of days, could lead to flooding on many rivers as well as cause urban and/or small stream flooding.
In addition to the potential for flooding, the landslide threat will continue to increase. Periods of heavy rain this weekend on top of nearly saturated soils would serve to significantly increase the threat of landslides.
The location, timing, and actual rainfall amounts were still uncertain at this time. However, it does appear that a period of significant rainfall will occur this weekend.
Springtime flooding - not unexpected here.
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