Western Washington on flood watch as storms approach

Most of Western Washington is on a flood watch as two Pacific storms advance on the coast, bringing strong gusts, heavy rain and a wet, temporary blanket of new snow in the mountains, according to the National Weather Service.

Heavy rain could push some rivers above flood stage as the fronts move in this afternoon through late Wednesday, said meteorologist Dennis D'Amico.

Two storms are expected: Starting this morning, the Seattle metro area should expect 1 to 3 inches of rain and winds from the south of 15 to 25 mph, forecasters said. Overnight, gusts may be as strong as 45 mph. But temperatures in Seattle will be mild — about 50 degrees.

On the mountain passes, where temperatures are cooler, there may be a couple of inches of snow this morning, D'Amico said. But that's expected to turn to rain by the afternoon.

The second storm could cause more serious flooding, with 3 to 6 inches of rain expected in the mountains Wednesday morning, bringing the two-day total to about 8 to 10 inches of rain by Wednesday night.

"This is not a snow event," D'Amico said. "It's a rain flooding event, with wind, too."

Doug Williams, with the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks, said the county's flood-warning center will open when flooding is imminent, when water levels reach phase II in a I-IV flood-alert system.

He said the center was open Thursday and Friday, and that two rivers, the Tolt and Snoqualmie, went over their banks.

"We're giving the staff heads-up what may be active," said Williams. "And we'll monitor road closures to make sure folks are aware how to get around high water."

He said flood advisories are posted on the Web site www.kingcounty.gov/flood. The National Weather Service issued flood watches for rivers on the Olympic Peninsula and around Puget Sound, including King, Snohomish and Pierce counties. Forecasters expect 3 inches of rain with more than 6 inches in some areas on the west side of the mountains.