Landslide Threat, Several Rainfall Records Broken

SEATTLE — The National Weather Service is warning of an increased threat of landslides across almost all of Western Washington. According to the NWS, thanks to the recent heavy rainfall — which dumped 2 to 4 inches of rain on the lowlands and 5 to 8 inches on the highlands — hillsides across the Puget Sound region are saturated and primed to fall.

The landslide warning was first issued late Thursday, but is expected to remain a problem throughout the day Friday as more scattered showers dump down on Western Washington.

Those showers, however, won't hold a candle to the record-breaking rainfall we've already seen. Thursday was the second-wettest day of the year in Seattle after Jan. 12. It was also a daily record for the wettest Oct. 28 ever, dumping 1.99" of rain on Sea-Tac, and the second wettest October day in Seattle history since Oct. 20, 2003 when more than five inches of rain fell on the Emerald City.

Rain records were also broken at Bellingham, which saw 1.27" of rain, and WFO Seattle, which logged 1.77".

Those heavy rains also contributed to rising rivers, and flood warnings remain in effect for the Snohomish River, Snoqualmie River near Carnation, Stillaguamish River in Arlington, the Skykomish near Gold Bar, and Skagit River near Mt. Vernon and Concrete.

Fortunately, the rain will die off over the weekend and so should the landslide and flooding concerns. Friday night is expected to bring mostly clear skies, followed by sunny skies Saturday and Sunday. Already, some clearing has been reported Friday morning.

Clear skies mean Saturday night should be the perfect time to check out the northern lights, which NOAA predicts will be visible for much of Puget Sound.

However, you'll want to soak up those sights and the sun while you can, because Monday it'll be back to the grind as forecasters are predicting a return to rainy weather for the start of the work week.