A rapidly deepening area of low pressure passing over the offshore waters of Western Washington produce very strong easterly winds across portions of Western Washington. The unusual direction of the wind combined with the strength produced extensive tree damage in the Puget Sound region that resulted in damaged homes and vehicles, widespread prolonged power outages, and 2 fatalities from fallen…
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS SEW wrote it up.
A rapidly deepening area of low pressure passing over the offshore waters of Western Washington produce very strong easterly winds across portions of Western Washington. The unusual direction of the wind combined with the strength produced extensive tree damage in the Puget Sound region that resulted in damaged homes and vehicles, widespread prolonged power outages, and 2 fatalities from fallen trees.
The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Seattle, WA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Nov 19, 3:19 PM PST, 41 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Seattle WA
319 PM PST Tue Nov 19 2024
.SYNOPSIS...A strong offshore storm system will continue to strengthen today,
generating significant east to southeast winds across western
Washington alongside widespread lowland rain and mountain snow today
into Wednesday. Troughing offshore will continue through the rest of
the week, maintaining unsettled conditions across the region.
&&
.SHORT TERM /TONIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY/...An anomalously strong low
pressure system offshore will continue to strengthen into the
evening tonight, generating strong pressure gradients that will
cause significant east to southeast winds across western Washington.
The strongest winds are on track to ramp up quickly and occur along
the Pacific Coast and western Cascade Foothills, where gusts could
reach 60-65 mph this evening. Wind gusts elsewhere will likely peak
in the 40-50 mph range this evening. The strong winds through the
Cascade gaps combined with incoming snowfall will cause blizzard
conditions through the Cascade Passes this evening through early
Wednesday morning, where visibilities will be reduced at times to
whiteout conditions in blowing snow. With snow levels between 2000-
3000 ft, the Cascade Passes will see snow totals of 3 to 7 inches
with up to 12 inches over higher elevations through Wednesday
afternoon. The lowlands will also see steady rainfall through
Wednesday morning before rainfall transitions to showers, with
accumulations up to half an inch in the interior and up to an inch
and a half along the Pacific Coast.
The low situated offshore will weaken and shift northward on
Wednesday, swinging another front across western Washington that
will maintain shower activity throughout the day as winds slowly
ease. A large upper level trough will stall offshore through the
remainder of the week, with a series of shortwave disturbances set
to pass northward across the region. This will continually bring
moisture northward into the area, maintaining scattered showers and
cloudy skies. Precipitation amounts will lighten with snow levels
lifting to 3000-4000 ft by Thursday and above 4000-5000 ft by
Friday. The Cascade Passes will see continued light snowfall
accumulations on Thursday and Friday with little to no impact to
travel.
.LONG TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...Extended forecast models
show potential for an active weather pattern to continue into early
next week. Ensemble cluster analysis shows good agreement over
general troughing through the weekend and next week, but models show
uncertainty over the intensity and placement of storm systems.
Forecast runs continue to show inconsistent solutions, so a chance
for lowland rain and light mountain snow has been maintained through
the forecast period.
15
&&
.AVIATION...South/southwesterly flow will persist aloft as a
strong low pressure system moves northward well offshore. Latest
radar shows rain starting to move up along the coast from the south
this afternoon. Conditions at area terminals have generally
rebounded to widespread VFR. Rain will continue to push into the
area from the south and west this afternoon and evening and linger
into Wednesday morning.
The biggest aviation challenge will remain the winds this evening,
as the aforementioned strong area of low pressure will generate
strong easterly winds across much of the interior. North to south
oriented runways will face some crosswind challenges, with gusts up
to 35 kts, maybe even 45 kts. The higher gusts will be mainly
focused near the Cascade foothills, but we will see sustained
easterly winds through much of the interior around 20 to 30 kts.
Winds have already started to increase across the coastal terminals
this afternoon and expect interior terminals to start to see an
increase in winds by 00Z. With east/southeasterly flow helping to
dry out the low levels, expect ceilings remain VFR through tonight.
Winds will peak tonight into early Wednesday, before gradually
easing through the morning and afternoon hours. Ceilings will
gradually lower towards more widespread MVFR by 12Z Wednesday
coinciding with winds easing, though some areas could potentially
see some visibility restrictions earlier as heavier showers move
over area terminals.
Additionally, there is a possibility for a subtle ridgetop inversion
in the Cascades, which could generate some mountain wave activity
that may impact terminals near Puget Sound. Confidence on this
scenario is low (less than 15-20 percent), but it is something to be
aware of. This threat will diminish Wednesday morning as winds start
to subside.
KSEA...Currently VFR conditions across the terminal with easterly
winds. Easterly flow will persist through the afternoon and evening.
Expect a large increase in wind speeds with sustained wind speeds of
20 to 30 kts into the evening and overnight hours. Maximum wind
gusts up to 45 kts are also possible. Rain will likely become
widespread beginning around 00Z and persist through around 07Z. A
stray shower or two is possible after 07Z. As previously mentioned,
there is the possibility for mountain wave activity that may impact
the terminal, however confidence remains low. Winds will eventually
begin to decrease around 11Z and southerly flow will gradually be
reinstated at the terminal.
MGF
&&
.MARINE...A strong, robust area of low pressure (sub 960 mb),
will impact the coastal waters this afternoon into Wednesday. Key
points for the marine forecast are outlined below:
* Seas: Seas currently persist at 8 to 12 feet according to the most
recent buoy observations this afternoon. Seas over the outer
coastal waters may reach heights of 25 to 30 feet, with seas
expecting to build to 20 to 24 ft closer to the Washington
coastline. The highest seas (27 to 30 feet) are expected over the
outer coastal water zones, generally between 30-60 NM.
Elevated seas are possible along the Strait of Juan de Fuca where
greater fetch combined with strong easterly winds over a 12-15
hour period could potentially could generate seas of 7 to 10 feet.
Uncertainty in wave height remains given the unusual easterly
wind, but expect overall conditions in the central Strait to be
choppy.
* Wind: Winds have been gusting to storm force (48 kt and greater)
this afternoon across the coastal waters and portions of the
Strait of Juan de Fuca. Winds are expected to peak this evening
and gradually decrease through Wednesday. Winds associated with
the storm warning call for gusts of 65 kt with sustained speeds of
40 to 45 kt. There is the potential for gusts to even reach
Hurricane Force (70 kts), but these winds once again will be in
the outer coastal water zones (and also way offshore) and will
likely be brief as the front crosses through the area. Gale
Warnings are in effect and will continue for the Northern Inland
Waters, Admiralty Inlet, and the Puget Sound and Hood Canal Waters.
* Grays Harbor Bar: Rough to severe bar conditions will develop
tonight. Strong easterly winds will contribute to rough bar
conditions, especially around the ebbs currents. With large waves
along the immediate coast, winds from the east and ebbs will allow
for waves to steepen. Conditions are likely to remain hazardous
across the bar into Wednesday.
Winds and seas will slowly subside in the wake of this system on
Wednesday. Another low pressure system may track northward along the
coastal waters by Friday, bringing another round of gusty winds and
building seas to the region into the weekend.
14
&&
.HYDROLOGY...The forecasts for the main part of the this
storm system keeps pushing it further south and is changing the
orientation of the flow pattern into the Olympics. It is looking
less likely that precipitation over the Olympics tonight into
Wednesday will push the Skokomish River above flood stage Wednesday.
But since flooding is still possible, the flood watch for Mason
County will continue and in fact was extended in time. There is some
indication that precipitation after the river peaks on Wednesday,
while less than tonight and Wednesday, will see much warmer
conditions that will melt a significant portion of the snow from
last night and tonight, adding to the runoff. That might be enough
to drive the skokomish above flood stage Friday instead, but that is
far from certain.
Elsewhere, no river flooding is expected. Lower snow levels in the
Cascades, as low as 2000 to 3000 ft during the heaviest
precipitation, will limit runoff and reduce any flooding chances for
rivers flowing off the Cascades. Precipitation for the remainder of
the period will come in bursts. This combined with snow levels
remaining relatively low will keep rivers in their banks. The
exception to this will be the Skokomish with the river remaining
near flood stage into the weekend.
Felton/Bower
&&
.SEW WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WA...Wind Advisory until 4 AM PST Wednesday for Admiralty Inlet Area-
Bremerton and Vicinity-Eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca-
Everett and Vicinity-Hood Canal Area-Lower Chehalis Valley
Area-San Juan County-Seattle and Vicinity-Southwest
Interior-Tacoma Area-Western Skagit County-Western Whatcom
County.
Coastal Flood Advisory from 7 AM to 1 PM PST Wednesday for San
Juan County-Western Whatcom County.
Flood Watch from late tonight through late Friday night for Hood
Canal Area-Lower Chehalis Valley Area-Olympics.
Winter Weather Advisory until 4 PM PST Wednesday for Olympics.
High Wind Warning until 4 AM PST Wednesday for Bellevue and
Vicinity-Central Coast-East Puget Sound Lowlands-North
Coast-Western Strait of Juan De Fuca.
High Surf Advisory from 7 PM this evening to 4 PM PST Wednesday
for Central Coast-North Coast.
Blizzard Warning until 10 AM PST Wednesday for West Slopes North
Cascades and Passes-West Slopes North Central Cascades and
Passes-West Slopes South Central Cascades and Passes.
PZ...Small Craft Advisory until 11 AM PST Wednesday for Grays Harbor
Bar.
Storm Warning until 10 AM PST Wednesday for Central U.S. Waters
Strait Of Juan De Fuca-Coastal Waters From Cape Flattery To
James Island 10 To 60 Nm-Coastal Waters From Cape Flattery
To James Island Out 10 Nm-Coastal Waters From James Island
To Point Grenville 10 To 60 Nm-Coastal Waters From James
Island To Point Grenville Out 10 Nm-Coastal Waters From
Point Grenville To Cape Shoalwater 10 To 60 Nm-Coastal
Waters From Point Grenville To Cape Shoalwater Out 10 Nm-
East Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-West
Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca.
Gale Warning until 4 AM PST Wednesday for Admiralty Inlet-
Northern Inland Waters Including The San Juan Islands-Puget
Sound and Hood Canal.
&&14 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Widespread tree damage occurred, including trees on homes and cars in Sudden Valley, WA.
Public reports 3 inch tree limbs broken and power poles broken in Mount Vernon.
A large tree and limbs fell on metro bus at 35th and 95th in north Seattle.
Public reports 3-inch tree limbs broken and power poles broken.
Public reports trees uprooted or snapped and a roof blown off in Kirkland.
Multiple areas in the East Puget Sound Lowlands had trees downed across roads, and even cars - with locations such as Sultan, Monroe, Lake Stevens, and Three Lakes Area being affected.
A woman in a homeless camp in Lynnwood died when a tree fell on a tent.
A woman died when a tree fell on her home 3 miles southeast of Kirkland.
Mesonet station at Port Townsend recorded a wind gust of 61 mph.
Whidbey Island Naval Air Station recorded a wind gust of 59 mph.
Public reports 1-inch tree limbs broken and shingles blown off near Langley.
Sea-Tac Airport recorded a 59 mph wind gust.
An Amtrak train struck a tree that fell on the tracks near Stanwood. There were 47 passengers onboard but no injuries.
Public reports 1-inch tree limbs broken and shingles blown off in Seattle.
As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.
| Event | Date | Age | Sex | Where | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High Wind, Everett and Vicinity | 2024-11-19 | Female | Under Tree | Direct | |
| High Wind, Bellevue and Vicinity | 2024-11-19 | Female | Permanent Home | Direct |
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Washington in 2024Every state in 2024This day in weather historyWarnings in Washington, November 2024
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1226560, 1226561, 1226566, 1226568, 1226569, 1229867, 1226564, 1226565, 1226558, 1226559, 1226563, 1226570, 1226562, 1226567.