A rare and significant weather pattern is expected to develop Wednesday in Western Washington, bringing a high risk of thunderstorms late in the day and into the evening. These thunderstorms will produce a lot of lightning, heavy rainfall, and strong winds, with a threat of large hail and even tornadoes or waterspouts.
On Wednesday around 3 p.m., the National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm watch for Clark, Lewis, Thurston, Cowlitz, Pierce, King, and Skamania counties.
This kind of weather is unusual for Western Washington and is reminiscent of a Midwest or Plains state weather pattern that can produce severe weather. With an upper-level low forecast to set up camp off the Pacific Northwest coast, the southerly flow wind along its east flank will send warm, moist, and unstable air into the region, setting up the environment for these active thunderstorms.
Thunderstorm recipe
As taught in Skywarn Weather Spotter and other weather courses, thunderstorms need three primary ingredients – moisture, an unstable air mass, and lift…