SEATTLE – After a calm Sunday, a strong frontal system will bring rain and wind to Western Washington beginning in the evening.
A high wind warning will is in effect from 6 p.m. Sunday to 4 a.m. Monday for the north and Central Washington coast.
KING 5 Meteorogist Jim Guy says sustained winds of 40 mph with gusts to 60 mph are possible.
"The strongest winds will be out along the coast and the Northwest interior," he said.
A wind advisory is in effect for San Juan County and western Whatcom and Skagit counties from 6 p.m. Sunday until 4 a.m. Monday.
"The Central Sound won't have much to worry about as far as wind goes," said Guy.
We'll see periods of heavy rain in the Olympics and North Cascades through Tuesday.
The National Weather Service says between 5 and 7 inches of rain may fall in the Olympics in a 24-hour period ending at 4 p.m. Monday, likely driving the Skokomish River above flood stage.
"The southern facing slopes will see the most more than likely," said Guy.
In the Mount Baker area of the North Cascades, up to 5 inches of rain is expected.
A flood watch will be in effect from Monday afternoon through Wednesday afternoon for Grays Harbor, Clallam, Jefferson, Mason and Whatcom counties.
A high wind watch is in effect from late Monday afternoon through late Monday night for the south Washington and north Oregon coasts.
Strong southerly winds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts to 70 mph are expected, with the strongest winds near headlands and beaches.
The Cascades and areas East
The main weather concern overnight Sunday is the potential for freezing rain for the eastern slopes of the Washington Cascades, the eastern Columbia Gorge and the Lower Columbia Basin.
Guy said the snow level will be at 5,500 feet except for in the passes.
"That east wind will keep things cold," he said Guy. "We'll have to watch for freezing rain."
A freezing rain advisory is in effect from 10 p.m. Sunday until 3 p.m. Monday for areas of central Washington, including the cities of Ellensburg, Sunnyside, Yakima and Cle Elum.
Also snow and freezing rain is possible for the Moses Lake area, the Upper Columbia Basin, the Wenatchee area and the Waterville Plateau through at least Monday.
