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Weekend Storms Will Douse Lowlands, Dampen Wildfires

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Joking that he was "out of practice" in forecasting rain for the Pacific Northwest, KPLU weather expert Cliff Mass said he'd do his best in predicting substantial amounts rain and wind for the weekend.


The storm will will bring a few showers on Friday and will peak on Saturday, he said Friday. "The real fun is (Saturday)," he said. "Moderate to heavy rain will develop in the morning and continue through the day."
The storm has the potential for "several inches" of rain in the Olympics and the Cascades, he said. In the lowlands, expect an inch or slightly more.

"This is a substantial rain," he said, adding that it could return some areas to near normal amounts for the summer.

Mass warned that gusty winds will come with the storm. "I expect the winds to get up to 15 to 20 miles per hour in the lowlands and maybe with gusts of 30 to 40 miles per hour," Mass said.

Because the trees are so dry, Mass said don't be surprised by falling branches and some power outages.  The storm will settle down on Sunday and Monday and wind down on Tuesday with break on Wednesday.

Wildfires to MildFires?

Mass said the rain will help dampen ongoing wildfires in both the Cascade and Olympic ranges.

"But there is something we will have to worry about," he added. "The winds will pick up. And that actually revs up fires."

El Nino To The Rescue

Mass said the weather patterns are changing for the year. And the reason is a massive El Nino effect that is starting to impact the sustained ridge of high-pressure in the Pacific Northwest.

"We have a very powerful El Nino forming," he said. "In fact, some people call it the Godzilla El Nino because it's so strong."

And, he added, it looking like it it going to kill off the "blob" the warm patch of water that along with the high pressure system has helped sustain the unusually hot, clear summer.

"It looks like this is going to be the end for the blob," he said.

The weekly KPLU feature "Weather with Cliff Mass" airs every Friday at 9 a.m. immediately following BirdNote, and twice on Friday afternoons during All Things Considered. The feature is hosted by KPLU Environment Reporter Bellamy Pailthorp. Cliff Mass is a University of Washington Professor of Atmospheric Sciences, a renowned Seattle weather prognosticator, and a popular weather blogger. You can also subscribe to a podcast of “Weather with Cliff Mass” shows.
 

Bellamy Pailthorp covers the environment for KNKX with an emphasis on climate justice, human health and food sovereignty. She enjoys reporting about how we will power our future while maintaining healthy cultures and livable cities. Story tips can be sent to bpailthorp@knkx.org.