TIMELINE: Strong winds from first of 'double barrel' storms rolls into Washington



SEATTLE -- The first major fall storm of 2016 is here.

Steady and sometimes heavy rain drenched Western Washington -- and then came the strong winds Thursday night.

"The strongest gusts of 60 mph will be at the coast and north of Everett" late Thursday night and overnight, Q13 News Meteorologist Walter Kelly said. "The (Seattle) metro will have gusts over 40 mph overnight and into Friday morning.

"Southeast of Seattle actually gets the least winds overnight," he added.

At 10:43 p.m. Thursday, a wind gust of 46 mph was recorded in Hoquiam.



And Cowlitz County PUD said they had more than 3,000 outages throughout the county at about 8:45 p.m. Thursday. "We have 7 crews dispatched and will continue to work until power is restored," it tweeted.

Late Thursday night, the National Weather Service announced it was extending the High Wind Warning for the Washington coast and North Interior through 3 p.m. Friday

The FAA said that because of wind and weather, some flights at Sea-Tac International Airport were being delayed an average of 1 hour, 20 minutes late Thursday night.



Power outages are expected across the region, especially around rural areas, as the strong winds topple bigger trees and power lines.



In addition, the rain just kept falling. The National Weather Service said at 10 p.m. Thursday that rain totals for the past 24 hours were the highest in Mason County with nearly 6 inches, 2 to 3 inches common on the coast, and 1.5 to 2 inches in the Seattle metro area.

"Friday morning's commute should be very messy," Kelley said. "Friday evening looks reasonable, with just some passing showers. Isolated thunderstorms are possible."



Q13 News reporter Steve Kiggins filed this tweet video at about 10:30 p.m from Westport, Wash.:










THE SECOND STORM


Saturday starts out mainly dry, Walter Kelley says, but "becomes very wet mid-morning" and will be soaking the rest of the day, Kelley says.

"The winds come in during the (Saturday) afternoon hours, with the biggest punch after 6 p.m. (and) through early Sunday. "The gusts Saturday night will be stronger than the winds tonight. Many power outages are expected late Saturday. The coast will have gusts over 75 mph! And the Seattle metro area will have gusts over 50 mph."

Sunday looks reasonable, but there will be a lot of cleanup, Kelley added.

The National Weather Service and NOAA said that, "With Storm 2 (on Saturday), there remain several possible outcomes on the exact track. These outcomes have reached greater agreement on a track that would produce a significant and damaging wind storm in Western Washington. The possibility of widespread wind damage and significant power outages will accompany the storm, along with very high surf and the potential for significant coastal erosion/flooding."

Sunday: SEAHAWKS!  In time for kickoff expect rain showers and breezy wind.  Dress warm for the wind and water resistant, rain showers will come and go with highs in the mid 50s.




    Q13 News Meteorologist Rebecca Stevenson filed this report Thursday night:

    "On the air at 4:30 a.m. Q13 FOX, but I can't sleep until I add that wind will start closer to 8pm/9pm tonight for western WA. I still see the hours of 11p.m. tonight through 3a.m. Friday as the strongest wind gusts. The high wind warning continues overnight and we should expect wind gusts to howl up to 55mph, higher on the coast. The wind will gust to 40mph  Friday through central Puget Sound plus to the north and south of Puget Sound.

    "Plenty of rain showers Friday with dry breaks from time to time around central Puget Sound.


    "The second storm, the big #2, the Saturday blaster, another round of weather models display a more ominous lean to the side of wind like we haven't had for 2 decades. NO! I don't WANT to forecast a devastating storm. I just have to tell you that's where solutions have been leaning.
    the weather forecast model showed Saturday winds building to 40mph sustained from 2pm to 11pm and wind gusts 60-70mph across parts of western Washington...I feel responsible to share the information.
    I've lived through direct hits of hurricanes a number of times; nothing to like about the aftermath or tragedy which occurs. You can be a nay-sayer about this incoming storm, just be a completely prepared and stocked nay-sayer.

    "Another Facebook Live coming your way Friday morning around 8am. I'm going to find details and leverage potential for Saturday wind storm. this one looks baaad. I'm already counting sheep :)."