³ÉÈËXÕ¾

The rain started coming down in Eatonville and along the northern Olympic Peninsula around 4:30 p.m. Several hours later, after foreboding clouds menaced the area, hundreds of lightning strikes were reported from Tacoma and Auburn to Seattle and Issaquah.

The Pacific Northwest is experiencing an unusual bout of severe weather on Wednesday, with forecasts that warned residents of the potential for large hail, damaging winds, and even isolated tornadoes across parts of Washington and Oregon.​

The National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center issued a severe thunderstorm watch along the Interstate 5 (I-5) corridor, extending from Seattle down to Eugene, Oregon. This marks the highest risk level for Seattle since at least 2012.  The primary threats include hailstones potentially reaching sizes of 2 to 2.5 inches in diameter—comparable to limes or tennis balls—and strong wind gusts. Additionally, there’s a 2% chance of tornadoes in the region, a rarity for this area. ​By 9 p.m., Snohomish County was getting pummeled by rain, but the severe storm watch for King, Thurston, Pierce, and Lewis counties expired.

Meteorologists attribute these conditions to a combination of near-record warm temperatures and lingering moisture, creating an unstable atmosphere conducive to severe thunderstorm development.

The potential for severe thunderstorms (1 inch hail or wind gusts of at least 58 mph) continues to decrease. As a result, the Severe Thunderstorm Watch for King, Thurston, Pierce, and Lewis counties will be allowed to expire at 9 PM.

— NWS Seattle (@NWSSeattle)

I legitimately couldn’t tell you the last time it rained this hard in Seattle.

— Jason Rantz on KTTH Radio (@jasonrantz)

By Thursday morning, more rain is expected throughout, with very limited thunderstorms. Morning lows will be in the upper 40s.

Thursday’s highs are only expected to reach the upper 50s, with very little “significant weather” on the horizon, outside of sporadic rain paired with strong, blustery winds.

Threat of massive hail?

The National Weather Service predicts an up to 29% chance of several hailstones that are greater than one inch in diameter. The threat of several wind gusts exceeding 58 miles per hour? 14%. There’s a small risk—2-4%—of a tornado.

“This air mass will be in place as a front lifts across the region tomorrow, which will be favorable for thunderstorm development,” said Anna Lindeman, a with the National Weather Service in Seattle. An intensifying low-pressure system offshore is expected to provide the necessary lift and wind shear, increasing the likelihood of storm rotation and potential tornado formation. ​

Local weather expert Cliff Mass, a professor at the University of Washington, highlighted the significant instability predicted for Wednesday.

“Around here, meteorologists get excited when Convective Available Potential Energy (CAPE) gets into the low hundreds. (Wednesday), it will exceed 1,000 in some locations,” Mass . “For some perspective, in tornado alley areas in the midwest, values can rise to 3,000-4,500.”

Higher CAPE values indicate a greater potential for severe thunderstorms. ​

The National Weather Service suggests securing outdoor items that could become projectiles in strong winds.

JBLM, campuses close early across region

Joint Base Lewis-McChord is evacuating their aircraft ahead of the storm, . According to the media outlet, the 62nd aircraft wing is evacuating several C-17 Globemaster III aircraft to protect them from damage.

The Seattle-Tacoma International (Sea-Tac) Airport is also taking precautions.

“We’re taking precautions related to high winds, such as securing airfield equipment and working with airlines and FAA,” Sea-Tac Airport wrote on X. “As always, check your specific flight info with your airline.”

Our teams are on the ready to respond to the upcoming weather situation as needed. We’re taking precautions related to high winds such as securing airfield equipment and working with airlines and FAA. As always, check your specific flight info with your airline.

— Seattle-Tacoma Intl. Airport (@flySEA)

Pope John Paul II High School has canceled the evening 9th and 10th grade class meetings with Mrs. Dietz.

The Lake Washington Institute of Technology closed at 3 p.m.

Eastside Academy closed at 4 p.m.

Seattle Public Schools canceled all events for the evening.

“This includes the Board Community Engagement session at Rainier Beach High School scheduled for 5:30 p.m. today,” SPS wrote on X. “All sports practices and after-school activities should end early enough to allow families time to safely pick up their students.”

🚨 Important Weather Update for Wednesday, March 26 🚨

Due to the forecasted hazardous weather, all events are canceled this evening. For everyone’s safety, all school buildings will close at 5 p.m.

— Seattle Public Schools (@SeaPubSchools)

The Tumwater School District has canceled all evening activities and evening athletic contests. The district said practices will conclude at 3:30 p.m., and no parent conferences are scheduled to start after 3:35 pm. There will also be no after school/evening facility use. The board meeting scheduled for 6 p.m. is under discussion and may be moved to an online format.

King County Regional Homeless Authority activates Tier 2 weather response protocols

The King County Regional Homeless Authority (KCRHA) has activated Tier 2 weather response protocols from 4 p.m. Wednesday to 7 a.m. Thursday.

“We open KCRHA-funded temporary emergency shelters (also known as severe weather shelters), contracted to engage at Tier 2; seek expansions to existing emergency shelter programs, including 24/7 shelters and night-by-night shelters,” KCRHA wrote in a news release.

Tier 2 also means KCRHA supports food distribution to temporary shelter sites and updates communications materials including but not limited to KCRHA’s Severe Weather webpage, and flyers, to include up-to-date information.