Winter Storm Watch in Effect Through Wednesday Night

National Weather Service in Seattle has issued a Winter Storm Warning for all of Western Washington until Tuesday morning when they will issue a Winter Storm Watch. Conditions will vary throughout the County, however forecasts indicate all areas will experience significant snowfall over the next few days. Please monitor television and radio for up to date forecasts. Grays Harbor County Emergency Management will continue to monitor the weather and remain in contact with the National Weather Service to provide you with the most up to date local forecast information.
Snow amounts will vary throughout the County. All areas are expected to see significant snowfall. Coastal areas will see lesser amounts. North County ( Humptulips, Copalis Crossing) and East County (Montesano, Elma, Oakville & McCleary)will see a great deal more.
The snow will be extremely wet and heavy and may cause structural issues if significant amounts fall. If the snow changes to rain earlier than expected, ponding of water will become an issue. There will an arctic air mass dropping from the North meeting up with a wet Western Storm. The storm has the potential to be very severe for all areas of Grays Harbor County and could possibly be compared to the December 1996, Winter Storm. Snow amounts for the coast to East County will be 2-7” into tonight. All weather models indicate snow fall for Tuesday night into Wednesday accumulating 6-12” for all areas of Grays Harbor County. It is too early to tell the impacts the snowfall will have upon rivers in the County.


Here's the forecast for the upcoming week in Gig Harbor:


M.L.King Day: Snow showers likely, mainly before 4pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 36. South southwest wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.


Tonight: Snow showers likely, mainly after 10pm. Cloudy, with a steady temperature around 33. Southwest wind between 6 and 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.


Tuesday: Snow showers. High near 35. Southwest wind 8 to 13 mph becoming northeast. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.


Tuesday Night: Snow. Low around 28. West southwest wind 8 to 10 mph becoming north northeast. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.


Wednesday: Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. High near 33. Northeast wind around 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New snow accumulation of 4 to 8 inches possible.


Wednesday Night: Snow before 10pm, then rain. Snow level rising to 1100 feet. Low around 31. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. Little or no snow accumulation expected.


Thursday: Rain. High near 47. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent.


Thursday Night: Rain. Cloudy, with a low around 40.


Friday: Rain. Cloudy, with a high near 44.


Friday Night: Rain. Cloudy and breezy, with a low around 39.


Saturday: Rain. Cloudy, with a high near 44.


Saturday Night: Rain likely. Cloudy, with a low around 36.


Sunday: Rain likely. Cloudy, with a high near 42.