Flood watch in effect for Thurston County with more rain on the way

A flood watch was issued for Thurston County ahead of a series of weather systems barreling toward the region.

The National Weather Service Office in Seattle said the flood watch is in effect until 4 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 18. 

“A series of weather systems this week will bring another round of significant rainfall to (Western) Washington through Wednesday (Dec. 17). Preliminary liquid totals of 2 to 6 inches, locally higher in some spots, will cause additional sharp rises to area rivers,” said the National Weather Service Office in the flood watch warning.

“Urban and small stream flooding remains possible for areas with poor drainage. Very saturated soils will maintain increased risk for potential landslides and debris flows off of burn scars.”

The incoming weather systems are expected to be propelled by strong winds, which led the National Weather Service Office to issue a high wind watch from 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 16, to 10 a.m. on Wednesday.

The forecast calls for a south, southwest wind of 13 to 20 miles per hour (mph) with gusts as high as 31 mph on Tuesday, with between one-half inch and three-quarters of an inch of new rainfall. The daytime high should be near 55 degrees.

The wind is expected to intensify on Tuesday evening to 20 to 23 mph with gusts as high as 39 mph from the west, southwest. New precipitation amounts are estimated at three-quarters of an inch to 1 inch. The overnight low should be around 40 degrees.

Breezy conditions are in the forecast on Wednesday, with a southwest wind of 14 to 17 mph and gusts as high as 30 mph. There is a 90 percent chance of precipitation. The daytime high should be near 47 degrees. Forecasts are subject to change.