Looking out into the Pacific, an impressive line up of moisture is heading our way, while a small cyclone is threatening Baja California.
Tomorrow, a moderate-strength cyclone (roughly 990 hPa central pressure) will make landfall on the northern tip of Vancouver Island (see sea level pressure map for 1 PM Tuesday). With relatively high pressure to the south, a very large pressure gradient will occur over western WA and the coastal waters. The result? Strong winds.
Let's take a look at the predicted winds, using a graphic from the city of Seattle WINDWATCH site, which shows predicted wind gusts over Seattle. Major winds ramp up tomorrow morning, with wind gusts hitting around 40 mph during the afternoon and early evening. That is generally enough to break some branches and produce some power outages. Not a record-breaking storm.
And then there is the bountiful precipitation. For the 24-h totals ending 4 AM tomorrow, moderate amounts over northwest WA as the storm approaches.
But the next 24-h will be sodden, with 2-5 inches on the western side of the regional mountains, but substantial rain shadowing over the western lowlands.
Now, you want to be impressed? Here is the accumulated rainfall over the next 7 days. Some locations approaching 10 inches.
And yes, snow. Initially, the freezing level will be high, but cooler air will move in by Thursday. The snowfall totals are measured in feet over the next week. Good for snowpack and skiing.
There is a rumor that the Seattle Times will have a story in tomorrow's paper about the Northwest being in a drought situation that is will be difficult for us to catch up from....😀
from Cliff Mass Weather and Climate Blog https://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2019/12/strong-winds-and-lots-of-precipitation.html
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