Weather

Over the last century, we've seen a huge improvement in the accuracy of weather forecasts. A new study suggests these better forecasts have tremendous value for our lives and our economy.

Across the Northwest crops are late. Cool spring weather has held back asparagus, potatoes and alfalfa. Even tree fruit blooms were late to flush open. Then, record-warm weather hit.

The El Niño-Southern Oscillation, which has a huge influence on global weather patterns, isn’t behaving as computer models predicted. That’s puzzling scientists.

Parts of the Pacific Northwest are bracing for freezing temperatures in the coming days, as potentially dangerous winter weather conditions continue to grip the region. Heavy snow, freezing rain and sleet has already severely disrupted travel in Oregon and Washington.

A strong storm fueled by an “atmospheric river” brought rain, snow and threat of flooding and avalanches on Monday to the Pacific Northwest. Forecasters said a new daily rainfall record was set in Seattle Monday with 2.33 inches of rain and the rainfall total over 48 hours was close to surpassing the normal precipitation for all of February.

The main east-west highway in Washington state reopened over the mountain passes after being closed for almost four days due to a winter storm that made travel too dangerous.

At least one person was missing and presumed dead as snow turned to rain and deluged the Pacific Northwest, causing flooding, landslides and avalanche danger in the mountains.

Seattle, a city known for soggy weather, has seen its wettest fall on record. The National Weather Service says 19.04 inches of rain fell between Sept. 1 and Nov. 30, breaking a record set in 2006.

Damages from flooding last week in northwest Washington’s Whatcom County could reach as high as $50 million, officials said, as forecasters warn that multiple “atmospheric rivers” may drench the Pacific Northwest in the coming days.

Heavy rainfall and high winds in Washington on Monday caused flooding and mudslides that forced evacuations, closed schools and part of Interstate 5. More than 158,000 customers were without power in western Washington at one point Monday.