It was an exciting Sunday for sports and weather fans across Western Washington.  The Seahawks pulled out a huge victory against the New England Patriots, while the first strong storm of the season hit our area. 

Flowing faster than Tom Brady’s tears, the rain was widespread over Puget Sound.  This storm tapped into warm subtropical air, keeping the rain steady throughout the afternoon and early evening.  Check out the rainfall totals from Sunday.  Over two and a half inches of rain fell along the coast, setting a daily record for Forks.  Seattle picked up over a half inch of rain.  We have to go back to July 20^th to find a day this wet. 

Winds were also gusty.  Wind gusts topped 50 mph on Whidbey Island, with gusts 30 to 35 mph at Paine Field in Everett.  Gusts around Seattle were around 20 mph, enough to knock over a tree on Queen Anne hill.  One of our news crews is heading there to get video for the 11 p.m. newscast.  It’s the first one this season. 

The problem with strong winds during this time of year is that many trees still have leaves on their branches.  Those leaves they can act as sails, catching the wind, helping to bring those trees down.   

Another strong storm hits Monday afternoon

Sunday night and Monday morning will give us a break in the weather; lighter winds with only a few spotty showers.  The Monday morning commute will be dry for most areas.  Rake up the leaves and get your errands done in the morning, the break in the weather will be brief.  Another strong storm is gearing up offshore, moving in Monday afternoon. 

Much like Sunday’s storm, this system will pack a healthy dose of wind and rain.  Rain will increase throughout the afternoon, and will be very heavy for the evening commute.  If you can get out of work early, it might be helpful to beat the traffic. 

0.25 to 0.75 inches of rainfall is expected around Puget Sound with this next storm.  Winds will also pick up with 25 to 35 mph gusts.  Areas north of Everett and along the coast are expecting gusts to exceed 50 mph once again. 

Coming off our prolonged dry stretch, river flooding is not a major issue with all this rain.  The only river getting close to flood stage is the Skokomish in Mason County.  Any flooding would be minor.  Some urban flooding is certainly possible with leaves clogging some of those storm drains. 

-Sam Argier, KIRO 7 Meteorologist