The Coldest Temperatures in Years, A Substantial Freezing Rain Event, and Powerful Localized Winds
Sometimes in the weather business, everything happens in a short period. This is such a period. We will experience: 1. The coldest temperatures in several years on both sides of the Cascades 2. A freezing-rain storm particularly in the Gorge, the northern Willamette Valley, and south of downtown Seattle. 3. Powerful easterly winds reaching hurricane strength in the Columbia Gorge and the passes. 4. A rapid warm-up this weekend, with the return of typical rain and mild conditions. Stage 1. Arctic Air Eastern Washington is already very cold, with some temperatures getting below zero last night. Western Washington temps are well below normal. To illustrate, here are the low temperatures this morning. In western Washington, primo cold air is pushing southwestward through the Fraser River Valley of NW Washington. Tonight even colder air will move in, coupled with good radiational cooling to space because the clouds are thinning out aloft. Temperatures will drop as low as the te