Alert archive / Washington / Flood Watches in 2021

Flood Watch 2, NWS Seattle, WA

January 10, 202114 counties in Washington

NWS Seattle, WA issued this flood watch at Jan 10, 2021, 2:52 PM PST for 14 counties in Washington. It took effect at Jan 11, 2021, 10:00 PM PST. It was in force for 54 hr.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Jan 10, 2021, 2:52 PM PST (22:52 UTC)
In effect from
Jan 11, 2021, 10:00 PM PST
Expired
Jan 14, 2021, 4:00 AM PST
In force
54 hr
Issued by
NWS Seattle, WA
Flood severity
None

Counties Clallam County, WA, Grays Harbor County, WA, Island County, WA, Jefferson County, WA, King County, WA, Kitsap County, WA, Lewis County, WA, Mason County, WA, Pierce County, WA, San Juan County, WA, Skagit County, WA, Snohomish County, WA, Thurston County, WA, Whatcom County, WA

The radar

The Seattle radar (KATX), 54 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:57 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

The nearest sounding before it

Quillayute State, WA (KUIL), launched 12:00Z, 10.9 hours before the alert went out and 138 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Quillayute State, WA at 12:00Z on 2021-01-10Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Quillayute State, WA at 12:00Z on 2021-01-10The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 282 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
496 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
37 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
282 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
278 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

621 
WGUS66 KSEW 102252
FFASEW

URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Flood Watch
National Weather Service Seattle WA
252 PM PST Sun Jan 10 2021

WAC045-111200-
/O.NEW.KSEW.FA.A.0002.210112T0600Z-210114T0600Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Mason-
Including the cities of Shelton
252 PM PST Sun Jan 10 2021

...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM MONDAY EVENING THROUGH WEDNESDAY 
EVENING...

The National Weather Service in Seattle has issued a

* Flood Watch for a portion of northwest Washington, including the 
  following area, Mason.

* From Monday evening through Wednesday evening

* Heavy rainfall over the Olympic mountains will force sharp rises 
  on the Skokomish River with flooding likely by Monday night. 
  Additional rainfall will keep the river above flood stage through 
  Wednesday.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Stay away or be swept away. River banks and culverts can become 
unstable and unsafe.

&&

$$

33
6 follow-up statements
648 
WGUS66 KSEW 111039
FFASEW

URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Flood Watch
National Weather Service Seattle WA
239 AM PST Mon Jan 11 2021

WAC009-027-029-031-033-035-053-055-057-061-067-073-121200-
/O.EXA.KSEW.FA.A.0002.210112T0600Z-210114T0600Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Clallam-Grays Harbor-Island-Jefferson-King-Kitsap-Pierce-San Juan-
Skagit-Snohomish-Thurston-Whatcom-
Including the cities of Hoquiam, Bremerton, Friday Harbor, Port 
Townsend, Lacey, Everett, Freeland, Langley, Marysville, Tumwater, 
Anacortes, Mount Vernon, Lynnwood, Silverdale, Edmonds, Bellingham, 
Sedro-Woolley, Sequim, Olympia, Seattle, Burlington, Tacoma, and 
Aberdeen
239 AM PST Mon Jan 11 2021

...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM THIS EVENING THROUGH WEDNESDAY 
EVENING...

The National Weather Service in Seattle has expanded the

* Flood Watch to include portions of northwest Washington and west 
  central Washington, including the following areas, in northwest 
  Washington, Clallam, Grays Harbor, Island, Jefferson, Kitsap, San 
  Juan, Skagit and Whatcom. In west central Washington, King, 
  Pierce, Snohomish and Thurston.

* From this evening through Wednesday evening

* Heavy rainfall is expected this evening through Wednesday. Total 
  rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches are expected across the lowlands 
  with 3 to 6 inches in the mountains. Snow levels will rise to 5000 
  to 7000 feet on Tuesday. Sharp rises are expected on area rivers 
  with a few potentially reaching flood stage by Wednesday. The 
  highest potential for river flooding is currently focused on the 
  Olympic Peninsula and in the lowlands from Seattle southward.

* High rainfall rates at times Monday night into Tuesday and Tuesday 
  night into Wednesday morning could also lead to localized urban 
  and small stream flooding. Heavy rain combined with the already 
  high soil moisture will lead to an increased landslide threat.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Flood Watch means there is a potential for flooding based on 
current forecasts. You should monitor later forecasts and be alert 
for possible flood warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding 
should be prepared to take action should flooding develop.

&&

$$

WAC045-121200-
/O.CON.KSEW.FA.A.0002.210112T0600Z-210114T0600Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Mason-
Including the cities of Shelton
239 AM PST Mon Jan 11 2021

...FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM THIS EVENING THROUGH WEDNESDAY 
EVENING...

The Flood Watch continues for

* A portion of northwest Washington, including the following area, 
  Mason.

* From this evening through Wednesday evening

* Heavy rainfall over the Olympic mountains will force sharp rises 
  on the Skokomish River with flooding likely by Monday night. 
  Additional rainfall will keep the river above flood stage through 
  Wednesday.

* High rainfall rates at times Monday night into Tuesday and Tuesday 
  night into Wednesday morning could also lead to localized urban 
  and small stream flooding. Heavy rain combined with the already 
  high soil moisture will lead to an increased landslide threat.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Flood Watch means there is a potential for flooding based on 
current forecasts. You should monitor later forecasts and be alert 
for possible flood warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding 
should be prepared to take action should flooding develop.

&&

$$

CC
225 
WGUS66 KSEW 111057
FFASEW

URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Flood Watch
National Weather Service Seattle WA
257 AM PST Mon Jan 11 2021

WAC041-121200-
/O.EXA.KSEW.FA.A.0002.210112T0600Z-210114T0600Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Lewis-
Including the cities of Fords Prairie and Chehalis
257 AM PST Mon Jan 11 2021

...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM THIS EVENING THROUGH WEDNESDAY 
EVENING...

The National Weather Service in Seattle has expanded the

* Flood Watch to include a portion of west central Washington, 
  including the following area, Lewis.

* From this evening through Wednesday evening

* Heavy rainfall is expected this evening through Wednesday. Total 
  rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches are expected across the lowlands 
  with 3 to 6 inches in the mountains. Snow levels will rise to 5000 
  to 7000 feet on Tuesday. Sharp rises are expected on area rivers 
  with a few potentially reaching flood stage by Wednesday. The 
  highest potential for river flooding is currently focused on the 
  Olympic Peninsula and in the lowlands from Seattle southward.

* High rainfall rates at times Monday night into Tuesday and Tuesday 
  night into Wednesday morning could also lead to localized urban 
  and small stream flooding. Heavy rain combined with the already 
  high soil moisture will lead to an increased landslide threat.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Flood Watch means there is a potential for flooding based on 
current forecasts. You should monitor later forecasts and be alert 
for possible flood warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding 
should be prepared to take action should flooding develop.

&&

$$

WAC009-027-029-031-033-035-045-053-055-057-061-067-073-121200-
/O.CON.KSEW.FA.A.0002.210112T0600Z-210114T0600Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Clallam-Grays Harbor-Island-Jefferson-King-Kitsap-Mason-Pierce-San
Juan-Skagit-Snohomish-Thurston-Whatcom-
Including the cities of Hoquiam, Bremerton, Friday Harbor, Port 
Townsend, Lacey, Everett, Freeland, Langley, Marysville, Tumwater, 
Anacortes, Mount Vernon, Lynnwood, Silverdale, Edmonds, Bellingham, 
Shelton, Sedro-Woolley, Sequim, Olympia, Seattle, Burlington, 
Tacoma, and Aberdeen
257 AM PST Mon Jan 11 2021

...FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM THIS EVENING THROUGH WEDNESDAY 
EVENING...

The Flood Watch continues for

* Portions of northwest Washington and west central Washington, 
  including the following areas, in northwest Washington, Clallam, 
  Grays Harbor, Island, Jefferson, Kitsap, Mason, San Juan, Skagit 
  and Whatcom. In west central Washington, King, Pierce, Snohomish 
  and Thurston.

* From this evening through Wednesday evening

* Heavy rainfall is expected this evening through Wednesday. Total 
  rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches are expected across the lowlands 
  with 3 to 6 inches in the mountains. Snow levels will rise to 5000 
  to 7000 feet on Tuesday. Sharp rises are expected on area rivers 
  with a few potentially reaching flood stage by Wednesday. The 
  highest potential for river flooding is currently focused on the 
  Olympic Peninsula and in the lowlands from Seattle southward. The 
  Skokomish River will rise sharply with flooding likely by Monday 
  night.

* High rainfall rates at times Monday night into Tuesday and Tuesday 
  night into Wednesday morning could also lead to localized urban 
  and small stream flooding. Heavy rain combined with the already 
  high soil moisture will lead to an increased landslide threat.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Flood Watch means there is a potential for flooding based on 
current forecasts. You should monitor later forecasts and be alert 
for possible flood warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding 
should be prepared to take action should flooding develop.

&&

$$

CC
344 
WGUS66 KSEW 120947
FFASEW

Flood Watch
National Weather Service Seattle WA
147 AM PST Tue Jan 12 2021

WAC009-027-029-031-033-035-041-045-053-055-057-061-067-073-131215-
/O.CON.KSEW.FA.A.0002.000000T0000Z-210114T0600Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Clallam-Grays Harbor-Island-Jefferson-King-Kitsap-Lewis-Mason-Pierce-
San Juan-Skagit-Snohomish-Thurston-Whatcom-
Including the cities of Chehalis, Fords Prairie, Hoquiam, Bremerton, 
Friday Harbor, Port Townsend, Anacortes, Everett, Freeland, Langley, 
Marysville, Tumwater, Lacey, Mount Vernon, Lynnwood, Silverdale, 
Edmonds, Bellingham, Shelton, Sedro-Woolley, Sequim, Olympia, 
Seattle, Burlington, Tacoma, and Aberdeen
147 AM PST Tue Jan 12 2021

...FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING...

The Flood Watch continues for

* Portions of northwest Washington and west central Washington, 
  including the following areas, in northwest Washington, Clallam, 
  Grays Harbor, Island, Jefferson, Kitsap, Mason, San Juan, Skagit 
  and Whatcom. In west central Washington, King, Lewis, Pierce, 
  Snohomish and Thurston.

* Through Wednesday evening

* Heavy rainfall is expected through Wednesday. Rainfall amounts 
  over the past 24 hours range from 2 to 4 inches on the Olympic 
  Peninsula, one-quarter inch to 1 inch in the lowlands, and around 
  1 inch in the Cascades. As heavy rain continues, expect an 
  additional 1 to 4 inches in the Olympic Peninsula, 0.25 to 1.5 
  inches in the lowlands, and 2 to 4 inches in the Cascades through 
  Wednesday. Snow levels will continue to rise to 6000 to 8000 feet 
  today. Sharp rises are expected on area rivers with the potential 
  for many rivers to reach flood stage area-wide. The highest 
  potential for river flooding is currently focused rivers flowing 
  off the Olympics and in the lowlands from King County southward.

* High rainfall rates at times this morning and tonight into 
  Wednesday morning could also lead to localized urban and small 
  stream flooding. Heavy rain combined with the already high soil 
  moisture will lead to an increased landslide threat.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Flood Watch means there is a potential for flooding based on 
current forecasts. You should monitor later forecasts and be alert 
for possible flood warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding 
should be prepared to take action should flooding develop.

&&

$$

CC
464 
WGUS66 KSEW 131010
FFASEW

Flood Watch
National Weather Service Seattle WA
210 AM PST Wed Jan 13 2021

WAC009-027-029-031-033-035-041-045-053-055-067-073-131115-
/O.CAN.KSEW.FA.A.0002.000000T0000Z-210114T0600Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Clallam-Grays Harbor-Island-Jefferson-King-Kitsap-Lewis-Mason-Pierce-
San Juan-Thurston-Whatcom-
Including the cities of Olympia, Tacoma, Chehalis, Bellingham, 
Aberdeen, Fords Prairie, Freeland, Silverdale, Hoquiam, Langley, 
Bremerton, Friday Harbor, Shelton, Tumwater, Seattle, Port Townsend, 
Sequim, and Lacey
210 AM PST Wed Jan 13 2021

...FLOOD WATCH IS CANCELLED...

The Flood Watch for portions of northwest Washington and west 
central Washington, including the following areas, in northwest 
Washington, Clallam, Grays Harbor, Island, Jefferson, Kitsap, Mason, 
San Juan and Whatcom. In west central Washington, King, Lewis, 
Pierce and Thurston has been cancelled.

Heavy rainfall is coming to an end early this morning. Additional 
river flooding is not expected outside of the current warnings. 
Urban and small stream issues may linger through the morning hours 
as water continues to recede.

$$

WAC057-061-132315-
/O.CON.KSEW.FA.A.0002.000000T0000Z-210114T0600Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Skagit-Snohomish-
Including the cities of Lynnwood, Everett, Edmonds, Burlington, 
Marysville, Sedro-Woolley, Mount Vernon, and Anacortes
210 AM PST Wed Jan 13 2021

...FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS EVENING...

The Flood Watch continues for

* Portions of northwest Washington and west central Washington, 
  including the following areas, in northwest Washington, Skagit. In 
  west central Washington, Snohomish.

* Through this evening

* Heavy rainfall is coming to an end this morning but rivers are 
  still rising. A few locations on the Skagit and Snohomish Rivers 
  may near flood stage today. Urban and small stream issues may also 
  linger through the morning hours.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Flood Watch means there is a potential for flooding based on 
current forecasts. You should monitor later forecasts and be alert 
for possible flood warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding 
should be prepared to take action should flooding develop.

&&

$$

CC
434 
WGUS66 KSEW 132312
FFASEW

URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Flood Watch
National Weather Service Seattle WA
312 PM PST Wed Jan 13 2021

WAC061-140015-
/O.CAN.KSEW.FA.A.0002.000000T0000Z-210114T0600Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Snohomish-
Including the cities of Everett, Lynnwood, Marysville, and Edmonds
312 PM PST Wed Jan 13 2021

...FLOOD WATCH IS CANCELLED...

The Flood Watch for a portion of west central Washington, including 
the following area, Snohomish has been cancelled.

The Flood Watch is cancelled.

$$

WAC057-141200-
/O.EXT.KSEW.FA.A.0002.000000T0000Z-210114T1200Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Skagit-
Including the cities of Burlington, Sedro-Woolley, Mount Vernon, and 
Anacortes
312 PM PST Wed Jan 13 2021

...FLOOD WATCH NOW IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE TONIGHT...

The Flood Watch is now in effect for

* A portion of northwest Washington, including the following area, 
  Skagit.

* Through late tonight

* Although the heavier rainfall has ended, a few locations, 
  particularly along the Skagit River may near flood stage late 
  tonight.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Flood Watch means there is a potential for flooding based on 
current forecasts. You should monitor later forecasts and be alert 
for possible flood warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding 
should be prepared to take action should flooding develop.

&&

$$

CK
645 
WGUS66 KSEW 141133
FFASEW

Flood Watch
National Weather Service Seattle WA
333 AM PST Thu Jan 14 2021

WAC057-141245-
/O.EXP.KSEW.FA.A.0002.000000T0000Z-210114T1200Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Skagit-
Including the cities of Burlington, Sedro-Woolley, Mount Vernon, and 
Anacortes
333 AM PST Thu Jan 14 2021

...FLOOD WATCH WILL EXPIRE AT 4 AM PST EARLY THIS MORNING...

The Flood Watch for a portion of northwest Washington, including the 
following area, Skagit will expire AT 4 AM PST early this morning.

The Flood Watch is cancelled. Flooding is no longer expected to pose 
a threat. Please continue to heed remaining road closures.

$$

Pullin

The office that day

Everything else NWS Seattle, WA issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jan 10, 2:17 AM PSTGale WarningSEW30 hr
Jan 10, 3:03 PM PSTGale WarningSEW41 hr
Jan 10, 3:15 PM PSTWinter Storm WatchSEW11 hr

Nearby

Flood Watches in Washington, 2021Every flood watch in 2021

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.