A serious thunderstorm will make gorgeous predictions Wednesday evening in western Washington, along with the possibility of a large hail, severe gusts of wind and potential tornadoes.
Seattle still had a glorious partially clear skies on Wednesday afternoon.
The storm is expected to arrive in the city around 6pm, according to Seattle’s National Weather Service. According to weather services, the likelihood of severe hail defined as more than one inch in diameter is 15% to 19%. There is also a 10% chance of one over 2 inches.
On Wednesday evening, this page will provide you with updates on closures, weather forecasts and impacts as the storm runs through the area.
In most of Kings, Snohomish and Pierce Counties, the risk of a tornado is 2-4%. In some areas of Pierce, Thurston and Lewis counties, the risk is slightly higher between 5 and 9%.
Prepare for the ferry delay, bring Drammin with you
Ferry passengers may want to bring Dramamin for their rides Wednesday evening, according to Washington State Ferries.
Passengers must also be prepared for service disruptions that can be caused by bad weather. Ferries may operate at slower speeds, allowing workers to load containers into full vehicle capacity, making them more stable.
“A violent thunderstorm clock” issued for King County
National Weather Service issued a heavy thunderstorm clock in King County by 9pm
The watch also includes Washington Earrings, Clark, Lewis, Thurston, Cowlitz Counties and Skamania Counties.
The clock means that severe thunderstorm conditions are preferred, but a warning means that serious thunderstorms are occurring or not, according to weather services.
– Page Cornwell
How to protect your car and home if Seattle gets that big hail
There is a 15% to 29% chance of serious hail falling in Seattle on Wednesday evening, with the National Weather Service even saying it could be hail that is more than two inches in diameter.
Stay safe first. Cover your head, go inside and leave the window. But you may wonder about your poor car and roof that can be exposed to elements.
The shape of hail When raindrops are raised by thunderstorms to a very cold area of the atmosphere and then freeze. The formed hail collides with water droplets that build surface area. If the rising current of a thunderstorm cannot hold the hail weight, they start to fall.
Read the full story here.
– Kai Uehara
Washington Tornado
The last significant tornado in western Washington landed in Port Orchard in December 2018.
The EF-2 twister damaged dozens of homes and traveled 1.4 miles with 130 mph peak winds, the state’s strongest tornado since 1986.
Washington State Tornado
There were 138 tornadoes in Washington from 1950 until October 28, 2024. Number of tornado events by county:
The Seattle school building will close at 5pm
All Seattle Public Schools buildings will be closed at 5pm Wednesday due to weather forecasts.
All events scheduled for Wednesday evening have been cancelled, the district said. The Rainier Beach High School Committee community engagement session is scheduled for 5:30pm.
“We apologise for the short notice, but we want to prioritize the safety of our community and staff,” the district said in a message to families.
