Seattle, Washington experienced widespread thunderstorms on Wednesday night, with lightning illuminating the skies across the region. The storms brought heavy downpours, leading to short-term urban flooding in some areas. Hail, measuring up to 0.9 inches, was reported in parts of the Puget Sound region, causing damage to multiple structures in the area.
Lightning strikes resulted in various incidents across western Washington, including a residential fire on Camano Island, equipment damage along SR 109 in Grays Harbor County, and a house fire in Everett. Seattle City Light reported a power outage affecting around 1,050 customers in south Seattle, while Puget Sound Energy reported nearly 1,500 customers without power. The National Weather Service had issued a severe thunderstorm watch for multiple counties, indicating favorable conditions for hazardous weather to occur.
This marked the first time Seattle and King County had been included in a severe thunderstorm watch since June 1999. As the storm system moved towards the Oregon-Washington border, it caused disruptions in various areas, reaching the Seattle region around 7 p.m. Despite the risks, the NWS assured the community that the severe impacts of thunderstorms were diminishing as the night progressed.
Seattle Public Schools and other districts preemptively canceled events and closed school buildings to ensure the safety of students and staff. Joint Base Lewis-McChord took precautions by preparing to evacuate aircraft in anticipation of the severe weather event. Large hail was identified as the primary hazard from the thunderstorms, with the NWS advising individuals to exercise caution while driving in such conditions.
The weather forecast for western Washington indicated a shift to cooler temperatures, with snow levels dropping significantly in the coming days. The region would experience a cooldown, with temperatures in the 50s and passing showers expected through the week. The weekend forecast promised drier conditions as the storm system moved on.
Residents were encouraged to stay informed about the weather developments through various platforms and share their storm photos with the community. The overall impact of the thunderstorms highlighted the importance of preparedness and caution during severe weather events in the region.