Region braces for heavy rain, snow, ice

Wet weather ahead. (WSU Photo Services)

By Linda Weiford, WSU News

PULLMAN, Wash. – A strong storm system pushing through Washington state is about to unload drenching rain, snow and freezing rain.

“It’s going to get messy,” said meteorologist Nic Loyd of Washington State University’s AgWeatherNet. “Though conditions will vary by location, everyone is going to see plenty of precipitation.”

Snow falling in parts of eastern and central Washington today is expected to shift to heavy rain late this afternoon and into Thursday and Friday morning. While the southeastern part of the state, including Pullman and Spokane, should transition fairly quickly from snow to rain, the northcentral part will probably be more gradual, said Loyd.

In Ritzville, Wenatchee and Moses Lake, cooler air will create the potential for snow, freezing rain and ice accumulations. In the Palouse, daytime temperatures in the high 40s should keep precipitation mostly to rain downpours.

“This big system will be piping a river of moisture into the region, making driving hazardous at times and also bringing localized flooding,” Loyd explained.

 

News media contacts:
Nic Loyd, WSU meteorologist, nicholas.loyd@wsu.edu
Linda Weiford, WSU News, 509-335-7209, linda.weiford@wsu.edu