Statement as of 1:38 PM PDT on September 27, 2013 ... Unusual September windy and very wet storm systems expected this weekend to impact southwest Washington and northwest Oregon... A series of potent early fall storms will impact the Pacific northwest through this weekend... bringing a prolonged period of moderate to very heavy rains to the southwest Washington and northwest Oregon. Two of these storms will also produce strong winds along the coast and locally inland as well. These are highly unusual storms for September and have the potential for producing record rains. The first batch of rain has spread onshore into southwest Washington and northwest Oregon this afternoon... and will continue into tonight. Between 0.75 and 2.00 inches of rain will fall by daybreak Saturday with heaviest amounts over the Coast Range and southwest slopes of the Washington Cascades. This storm will also bring breezy conditions to the area... but will be the weakest storm of this series. The next storm on Saturday will be considerably stronger and wetter... and will contain tropical moisture from a former western Pacific typhoon. Rain will increase dramatically during the day Saturday and continue heavy at times through a good part of Saturday night. High winds will also occur along the coastal strip and beaches... with breezy to windy conditions inland into the valleys. The second potentially even stronger storm is expected to approach Sunday and move through the area Sunday night. This storm will also have tropical moisture with it and may have some of the remnant circulation of the former typhoon in it. This storm will bring another round of heavy rain to southwest Washington and northwest Oregon Sunday and Sunday night. Even stronger winds are possible with this storm... both at the coast and inland. Rainfall estimates through Monday show amounts in the Coast Range and Cascades could reach 7 to 10 inches... with 2 to 4 inches in the valleys. These rains will likely lead to areas of Urban and Small Stream flooding. Larger rivers will likely also see significant rises. The combination of heavy rain... saturated soils... strong winds... and trees with a full complement of leaves will likely lead to tree damage and power disruptions... especially at the coast and in the Coast Range but also possibly in the inland valleys both Saturday and Sunday. The strong winds and expected high seas will cause problems for mariners along the coast. People should also avoid beach areas where they can be washed away by the higher waves and can be severely injured or killed by debris tossed onshore.
Posted on: Fri, 27 Sep 2013 21:46:22 +0000
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