The relentless weather conditions that have plagued Washington State over the past two weeks are finally beginning to ease. Following a series of atmospheric rivers, record-breaking flooding, and a powerful windstorm that left approximately 380,000 customers without power, meteorologist Scott Sistek announced that the worst is now behind the region. The power outage affected nearly one million people, as utility companies count each power meter individually, meaning large apartment buildings are counted the same as single-family homes.
High winds swept through Washington from Tuesday night into Wednesday, with gusts reaching between 50 and 70 mph. This surge of wind particularly impacted areas such as Whidbey Island and Snohomish County. Despite initial fears of more extensive damage, Sistek reported that the windstorm was less catastrophic than forecasted. “Even going into late last night, we were really bracing ourselves, thinking it could be a lot more,” he explained.
The storm’s impact was particularly severe for communities along the Green, Skagit, Snohomish, Snoqualmie, and White Rivers, which faced devastating flooding. However, Sistek pointed out that the situation is improving. “I looked, there’s no purple on the river forecast map anymore,” he stated. “Purple means major flooding. There are no more rivers on ‘major flood’ warning.” This improvement comes as temperatures have dropped, resulting in snow rather than rain in the mountains, effectively reducing runoff into the already swollen rivers.
As the weather pattern shifts, Sistek noted that the cooler temperatures are beneficial for both the state’s water supply and its ski resorts. Snoqualmie Pass, which had virtually no snowpack prior to this week’s storms, is now expected to receive between 10 to 15 inches of snow, significantly improving the region’s winter conditions. Long-range forecasts predict a continuation of wet, cool weather through Christmas and into the New Year, helping to bolster the snowpack essential for summer water supplies.
While the immediate crisis is abating, Sistek cautioned that some forecasts are hinting at lower snow levels in the coming week. “It’s probably higher. I haven’t done the statistical analysis,” he remarked, suggesting a cautious optimism about the weather’s trajectory.
For many residents hoping for a festive atmosphere, Sistek added that the chance of a white Christmas in Seattle is not entirely out of reach, stating, “It’s not zero.” Only two rivers currently remain at Flood Phase 4, the highest alert level, with six additional rivers still classified at Flood Phase 3, indicating that while conditions are improving, vigilance is still necessary.
As Washington’s weather nightmare subsides, communities begin to recover from the extensive damage caused by recent storms. The transition from rain to snow signals a positive change, offering hope for a more stable winter season ahead.
