Timing:: Storms are most likely between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. PDT on Wednesday, March 26, 2025.
Location:: Widespread potential across western Washington, with the I-5 corridor from Eugene, OR, to Seattle, WA, highlighted for risk.
Main Threats:: Thunderstorms bringing heavy rain, cloud-to-ground lightning, strong wind gusts (potentially over 58 mph), and hail.
Hail Risk:: There's a notable risk of hail, including potentially severe hail (1 inch+ diameter). The Storm Prediction Center notes a possibility of isolated 2-2.5 inch hail. Large hail is uncommon in the Pacific Northwest.
Tornado Risk:: A low (2-4%) chance of a tornado exists along the I-5 corridor.
Why This Matters:: These conditions pose risks including localized flooding, power outages, damage from wind and hail, and lightning strikes. The potential for large hail is particularly unusual for the region.
The forecast for Wednesday stems from a classic setup for convective weather. Warm, moist air near the surface, with temperatures expected in the 60s, provides the fuel. As a cold front approaches, it acts as the trigger ('nudge') lifting this unstable air rapidly into the colder upper atmosphere. According to NOAA, this process involves moisture, unstable rising air, and lift – all ingredients present on Wednesday.
The National Weather Service (NWS) and Storm Prediction Center (SPC) have indicated a "Marginal Risk" to "Slight Risk" for severe thunderstorms. The primary concern is hail. There's a 15-29% chance of hail over 1 inch from Everett south through the I-5 corridor into Oregon, with a 10% chance of 2-inch hail in the same area. While large hail is more common in the Midwest, the PNW has seen it before; Oregon's record is a 4-inch stone in 1995. Strong wind gusts (up to 14% chance of >58 mph) are also possible.
Who This Affects Most: Residents, commuters, and businesses in western Washington and the northern Willamette Valley in Oregon, especially those along the I-5 corridor. Outdoor workers and those with travel plans during the late afternoon/evening are particularly exposed.
How to Prepare:
Stay informed: Monitor updates from the NWS via weather radio or local news apps.
Secure outdoor items: Tie down or bring inside objects like patio furniture, trampolines, and garbage cans that could be blown around by strong winds.
Have a plan: Know where to seek shelter (lowest floor, interior room, away from windows) if a severe thunderstorm or tornado warning is issued.
Prepare for outages: Charge electronic devices and have flashlights ready.
Vehicle safety: Avoid parking under trees. If caught driving in hail, pull over safely if possible.
What exactly causes thunderstorms?
They form when warm, moist, unstable air is forced to rise rapidly, often by a weather front or surface heating. As the air rises, moisture condenses into clouds, and electrical charges build up, leading to lightning and thunder.
How likely is *severe* weather?
The overall risk is categorized as Marginal to Slight. While widespread severe weather isn't expected, isolated severe storms capable of producing large hail and damaging winds are possible, particularly along the I-5 corridor.
Is large hail common here?
No, hail greater than 1 inch in diameter is relatively rare in the Pacific Northwest compared to other parts of the U.S.
Be aware of potentially hazardous weather conditions Wednesday afternoon and evening.
The main threats are heavy rain, lightning, strong winds, and potentially large hail.
Take basic precautions like securing outdoor items and staying updated on weather alerts.
Have a safety plan in case severe weather warnings are issued for your area.
Do you think this pattern of stronger storms will become more common in the PNW? Let us know!
Share this article with others who need to stay ahead of this trend!
KATU News / Storm Prediction Center (Information synthesized from provided text)
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