Central Washington Weather Warning: Watch For Floods & Heavy Rain

I don't know about you, but I feel like this has been the wettest drought in years.

Yes, Eastern Washington is a desert climate with low annual rainfall totals, but we've just come through winter and most of the spring with above normal levels of water from the snowpack. So, if hearing about drought makes you thirsty, check out the wet warnings issued by the National Weather Service for the weekend.

Hazardous Weather Conditions Forecast for Central Washington

The National Weather Service office in Pendleton, Oregon has issued warnings for some hazardous weather conditions beginning today and running through the weekend in areas including Central Washington and the Cascades.

NOAA says:

HEAVY RAINFALL THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY WITH RISING STREAMS AND RIVERS.

 

Heaviest Rain in Yakima Valley Washington Cascades Mainly Thursday & Friday

Here is the bulletin in its entirety from National Weather Service:

Yakima Valley-East Slopes of the Washington Cascades- Including the cities of Sunnyside, Yakima, Cliffdell, Cle Elum, Naches, Toppenish, and Appleton

...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH SUNDAY

AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible.

* WHERE...Portions of central Washington and south-central

Washington, including the following areas, in central Washington,

Yakima Valley. In south-central Washington, the East Slopes of the

Washington Cascades.

* WHEN...From Friday morning through Sunday afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers,

creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations.

The Naches River at Naches is currently forecast to reach Moderate

flood stage by Saturday afternoon.

The Naches River at Cliffdell is forecast to reach minor flood stage

by Saturday afternoon.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...

- Moderate to heavy rainfall is expected tonight through Friday

morning, with lighter rainfall continuing Friday night.

Runoff from this rain will continue into the weekend.  Rivers

are already running high from the recent wet conditions.

 http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible Flood

Warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared

to take action should flooding develop.

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