Strong Winds, Heavy Rain Coming to Enumclaw, Foothills

National Weather Service in Seattle issued a special weather statement early Tuesday morning.

Starting tonight through Thursday morning, residents in Enumclaw and the Western Washington area should expect strong winds and heavy rain due to a vigorous storm system.

A low-pressure system developing off the Pacific Northwest Coast today will track into northern Vancouver Island early Wednesday morning. Breezy to windy conditions are expected ahead of the front tonight through Wednesday morning. Southerly winds of 15 to 30 mph with gusts to 45 mph are possible along the coast.

Winds will remain gusty Wednesday evening then slowly ease into Thursday morning.

The front will bring rain, heavy at times, to the lowlands of Western Washington. Coastal areas could receive more than 2 inches of rain while many interior locations could get 1 to 2 inches.

Click here to read the entire statement.

If you're headed up toward Greenwater and beyond, a winter storm warning goes into effect tonight at 11 p.m. through 5 a.m. Thursday. Snow level is forecast to fall to 1,500 feet late Wednesday, and a corresponding avalanche warning has also been issued.

Forecast for Enumclaw this week:

• Tonight Rain. Low around 42. East wind 8 to 16 mph becoming south after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%.
• Wednesday Showers. High near 49. Breezy, with a west southwest wind 20 to 24 mph, with gusts as high as 41 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
• Wednesday Night Rain showers likely before 11pm, then snow showers likely. Snow level 1500 feet lowering to 800 feet. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35. West wind around 18 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
• Thursday A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 46. Southwest wind 11 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.
• Thursday Night A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38.
• Friday A 40 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 53.
• Friday Night A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39.
• Saturday A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 49.
• Saturday Night A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37.
• Sunday A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 51.
• Sunday Night A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39.
• Monday A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 53.