SEATTLE -- The newest storm moving into Western Washington is bringing powerful winds, plenty of rainfall and an exceptional amount of snow to the Cascades, said KIRO 7 Chief Meteorologist Rebecca Stevenson.

Starting Wednesday night and continuing Thursday, the storm will bring strong winds to the coast, north interior, and to Lake Lawrence near Yelm with gusts up to 70 mph.

WATCH IT: Winds Blast Coast, Cause Erosion

A wind advisory was also issued for the Central Sound -- Tacoma, Seattle and Everett -- where gusts could reach 50 mph, Stevenson said.

Shortly after 6 p.m., Snohomish PUD reported 5,000 customers without power in Clearview, Stanwood and Three Lakes.

Puget Sound Energy also reported 3,000 customers without power in the Rose Hill area of Kirkland and parts of Redmond.

Both outages are caused by trees on power lines.

A winter storm warning is in effect until 4 p.m. Thursday for the Olympic Mountains as accumulations of 8 to 18 inches is expected.

The highest amounts will fall on the south and southwest facing slopes. Snow levels will remain around 2,500 feet Wednesday then rise to 5,000 feet on Thursday as warmer air moves in.

As the warmer air moves it, it will bring an exception amount of rainfall to the Olympics – up to 10 inches, Stevenson said.

The west slopes of the north and central Cascades also have a winter storm warning until 4 p.m. Thursday.

Snowfall totals of 2 to 3 feet are expected over the north Cascades, and around 1 to 2 feet across the central Cascades.

Snow levels will be near 2,500 feet Wednesday and rise to around 3,000 to 4,000 feet on Thursday.

Temperatures in the passes will remain near or below freezing so there will be a wintry mix at Stevens and Snoqualmie pass.

An avalanche warning for the Olympics and North Cascades has been issued for Wednesday night and Thursday.

The warning is for backcountry avalanche terrain below 7,000 feet and does not apply to highways or operating ski areas.

The rain will be widespread Thursday with up to an inch expected in Seattle.

A flood warning continues for the Skokomish River in Mason County.

Flood watches remain in effect through Friday morning for Grays Harbor, Lewis, Thurston, Clallam and Jefferson counties.

Grays Harbor County reports:
- The Satsop River is currently receding, but will return to flood level at 6 p.m. Thursday (34 feet). It is expected to crest at 35 feet at 4 a.m. Friday. Minimal flooding is forecasted.
- The Chehalis River is below bank level at this time. It will reach flood level (21 feet) at 4 p.m. Friday and is expected to crest at 22.75 feet at 10 a.m. on Saturday.
- The Wynoochee River is forecasted to reach bank level at 4 p.m. Friday (13.5 feet) then receding.

A flood watch is in effect for the Chehalis River and a high surf advisory and a high wind warning will be in effect until Friday for Grays Harbor County.

Stevenson said another round of rain will be here for the weekend.