Meteorologists forecast blustery, soggy Thanksgiving
November 19, 2012
NEW — 6 a.m. Nov. 19, 2012
Expect a soggy Thanksgiving and a side of rain in the days before the holiday, as series of systems batters Western Washington.
The weather comes as rain-soaked Pacific systems barrel across the region in quick succession. National Weather Service meteorologists in Seattle said the strongest fronts should affect Western Washington through Monday night.
Residents should expect 2 to 5 inches of additional rain to fall in the mountains below the snow level. The influx of moisture increases the landslide risk on slopes.
Then, wet and windy weather should continue through the week, with lulls possible on Tuesday and Thursday, Thanksgiving. Snow is forecast to fall in the mountains, and motorists should prepare for snow in the mountain passes, including Snoqualmie Pass.
National Weather Service issues flood watch as rain lingers in forecast
October 30, 2012
NEW — 5:30 p.m. Oct. 30, 2012
National Weather Service meteorologists issued a flood watch for Issaquah and Western Washington on Tuesday, as rain pelts the region and lingers in the immediate forecast.
The flood watch is in effect for Western Washington through early Thursday. Under a flood watch, favorable conditions for flooding exist, but flooding is not imminent or occurring.
Forecasters said minor urban and small stream flooding is possible in the next 24 hours, due to a combination of steady rain and leaf-clogged storm drains.
Residents could see ponding at road intersections, in underpasses and along low-lying streets. Motorists should use caution as the rain continues.
Puget Sound Energy prepares for high seasonal rain, wind
October 12, 2012
NEW — 8 a.m. Oct. 12, 2012
Puget Sound Energy is prepared if high winds and heavy rain hit the region in the days ahead as forecast, a company executive said Thursday.
National Weather Service meteorologists in Seattle said heavy rain is expected throughout the Puget Sound region over the weekend and into next week. The long spell of dry weather came to a sudden end Friday, and heavy rain is expected to arrive late Saturday.
Andy Wappler, PSE vice president of corporate affairs and a certified meteorologist, said the Bellevue-based utility spent the dry months preparing for autumn and winter weather.
“While the sun was shining these past few months, our crews were busy trimming trees, working on reliability projects and getting ready for winter,” he said in a statement. “Now that the weather is changing, those preparations will help us serve our customers as storm season begins.”
Department of Natural Resources extends burn ban — again
October 4, 2012
NEW — 6 p.m. Oct. 4, 2012
The state Department of Natural Resources took the unprecedented step of extending the statewide burn ban through Oct. 15, more than a week after the earlier burn ban extension had been set to expire.
Officials attributed the longer ban to a prolonged stretch of unusually dry weather in Western Washington since July and extreme risk of wildfire.
The ban on outdoor burning applies to all Department of Natural Resources-protected public, private and tribal lands, including Tiger Mountain State Forest near Issaquah.
National Weather Service forecasters expect the current danger of extreme fire weather in Western Washington to continue into the weekend. Washington has had no measurable rain in August, and September ranked as the third driest on record.
Salmon Days Festival returns to downtown Issaquah
October 2, 2012
A chinook tries to surmount the weir Sept. 28 at the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery. By Greg Farrar
The ode to salmon migration, Issaquah’s iconic Salmon Days Festival, returns to downtown Issaquah on Oct. 6-7.
Unstable conditions prompt red flag warning for fire danger
September 13, 2012
NEW — 12:05 p.m. Sept. 13, 2012
Issaquah is under a regional red flag warning as a combination of strong winds, low relative humidity and high temperatures create explosive fire growth potential.
National Weather Service meteorologists in Seattle said the red flag warning is in effect until 8 p.m. Thursday.
The combination of wind and humidity can cause fire to spread rapidly. Other factors could lead to larger fires. The red flag warning means critical fire weather conditions already started, or could occur shortly.
Meanwhile, smoke from wildfires in Central and Eastern Washington reached the Puget Sound region.
Smoke from the lightning-sparked wildfires is causing air quality problems throughout the state.
King County burn ban continues
September 11, 2012
Continued dry conditions have led the King County fire marshal to extend the countywide burn ban until further notice, officials announced Aug. 31.
National Weather Service meteorologists in Seattle said last month marked the driest August ever at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, with only a trace of rain recorded. (Meteorologists use data collected at the airport for official climate records in the region.)
The fire marshal — and officials in Kitsap, Pierce, Snohomish and Thurston counties — declared a regional burn ban in July. The ban was due to end Sept. 1.
Other burn bans remain in effect, too.
The state Department of Natural Resources set a summer burn ban for Tiger Mountain State Forest and other state lands from July 1 to Sept. 30. Eastside Fire & Rescue imposed a summer burn ban from June 15 to Sept. 30.
King County fire marshal extends summer burn ban
September 1, 2012
NEW — 6 a.m. Sept. 1, 2012
Continued dry conditions led the King County fire marshal to extend the countywide burn ban until further notice, officials announced Aug. 31.
National Weather Service meteorologists in Seattle said August marked the driest August ever at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, with only a trace of rain recorded. (Meteorologists use data collected at the airport for official climate records in the region.)
The dry August beat the old record of 0.01 inch set in 1974.
The fire marshal — and officials in Kitsap, Pierce, Snohomish and Thurston counties — declared a regional burn ban in July. The ban was due to end Sept. 1.
State lands commissioner asks for help from public amid high wildfire risk
August 16, 2012
NEW — 10:30 p.m. Aug. 16, 2012
State Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark asked for help from the public Thursday to prevent wildfires, as the risk rises on both sides of the Cascades.
“The next three days are going to be very dangerous in terms of the potential for wildfire,” he said in a statement. “That is true in Western Washington as well as Eastern Washington. It is everyone’s responsibility to be safe and not take any risks.”
The request came as the National Weather Service maintains a regional excessive heat warning for communities along Puget Sound and in the Cascade foothills. Temperatures could approach 100 degrees in Issaquah on Thursday.
The weekend forecast includes a significant risk of lightning-sparked wildfires.
Temperature to inch close to 100 degrees in Issaquah
August 16, 2012
NEW — 8 a.m. Aug. 16, 2012
Expect the temperature to climb to almost 100 degrees in Issaquah on Thursday, as the week comes to a simmering conclusion.
National Weather Service meteorologists in Seattle forecast a high temperature near 96 and sunny conditions for Thursday. Expect a high temperature near 94 and sunny conditions on Friday. The high temperature is expected to drop to a more manageable 82 degrees Saturday.
Issaquah is under a regional excessive heat warning. The alert means the region is in a prolonged period of dangerously hot temperatures, and the combination of heat and humidity can cause heat-related illnesses. The excessive heat warning is in effect until 11 p.m. Friday.
The city is also under a regional red flag warning, meaning a combination of strong winds, low relative humidity and high temperatures can create explosive fire potential. The red flag warning is in effect until 11 a.m. Thursday.
