Gusts up to 50 mph, then days of rain, as autumn arrives in Everett

Published 1:00 pm Thursday, October 27, 2022

EVERETT — After an unseasonably dry October, locals can expect to enjoy the “charms” of a Pacific Northwest autumn this weekend.

Tuesday saw Snohomish County’s last 6 p.m. sunset until March 6, ushering in the signature monthslong wet season. And it hasn’t taken long to live up to that billing.

On Thursday, moderate winds accelerated the annual falling of the leaves. But wait, there’s more.

The wind is expected to be followed by a spate of rain Friday, a dry but cloudy Saturday and another batch of rain Sunday into Monday.

Everett, Edmonds, Lynnwood and Marysville were under a wind advisory from early Thursday until the evening. That means winds were expected between 25 to 35 mph, with gusts possible up to 50 mph, said Dustin Guy, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Seattle.

The highest winds were closer to the water. On Thursday morning, winds hit 53 mph on Camano Island, 51 on Whidbey Island and 38 in Everett.

That level of wind can blow off small tree branches. The National Weather Service also advised extra caution when driving, especially in taller cars. There could be some isolated power outages, but not what you might expect in the case of a worse wind event.

The threshold for possible widespread power outages, Guy said, is when gusts reach over 57 mph. That’s when you’d be more likely to see downed trees.

After 2 p.m. Thursday, the Snohomish County Public Utility District reported about 4,400 customers without power, all north of Everett.

Another cold front, with less wind, was expected to arrive here Thursday evening from the Gulf of Alaska, the meteorologist said. It was forecast to bring steady rain into Friday.

“You’ll basically be trading in the wind for rain,” Guy said Thursday afternoon.

The National Weather Service predicted ½-inch to ¾-inch of rain Thursday night into Friday morning in the Everett area.

For locals angling for some dry weather, Saturday will likely be your day, Guy said.

But don’t dilly-dally. Another “solid batch” of rain was expected Sunday into Monday, the meteorologist said.

Through the weekend, lows will likely be in the mid-40s. Highs are forecast to hover in the mid-50s.

Remember those unseasonably hot days earlier this month? This Daily Herald reporter, who has retired the portable fans and loaded up on blankets, cannot.

Jake Goldstein-Street: 425-339-3439; jake.goldstein-street@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @GoldsteinStreet.