12/22/2022
You’re hearing a lot about freezing rain this week in Western Washington. This is what we're expecting late tonight into tomorrow morning: Freezing rain is liquid precipitation that freezes on contact with cold surfaces. This means that it starts off as snow, melts as it falls through the warm air and then freezes upon contact. This has a chance to play havoc with power lines and tree limbs and road surfaces.
Here’s the best estimates from a recent briefing with meteorologists: In the Seattle-Tacoma area, there’s a 30 percent chance that freezing rain will start after midnight tonight. That increases to a 75 percent chance between 4 and 6 in the morning. In the Olympia area and south, there’s a 30 percent chance that freezing rain will start around 10 p.m. with an 80-90 percent chance it will happen between 4 and 6 in the morning. The further south you go, the sooner you might see something. The Weather Service in Portland says precipitation could start as soon as 4 to 7 p.m. in Raymond, for instance. It could start as soon as 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. in Longview. Some areas would see a bit of snow first before it has a chance of turning into freezing rain. Check your local forecast and prepare for the potential of power outages. If you have the luxury of working from home on Friday, you might want to make those arrangements now (if you still have power).
In 2012, a widespread freezing rain event caused power outages for about 300,000 people. There are differences between that event and this one. In 2012, there was a good amount of snow on the ground, for instance and this event is not expected to have as heavy precipitation.
The good news, meteorologists say, is that once we warm up, it will stay warm and there’s not much potential for a refreeze. The bad news is that there will be risks of flooding.
✔️Check your local forecast at https://www.weather.gov/
✔️We have power outage tips at https://mil.wa.gov/severe-storm