Western Washington was hammered with widespread rain in the lowlands and significant mountain snow to start off 2021.
The National Weather Service (NWS) said the Quillayute Airport on the Olympic Peninsula broke a rainfall record Saturday with 2.77 inches of rain as of 10 p.m. The previous record was 2.03 inches in 1967.
Travel over the passes will be challenging all weekend. Drivers are urged to check road conditions and chain requirements before traveling over the passes.
RELATED: Pass report
The heavy rain and strong winds will ease Sunday morning. There will be a brief break before another system tracks south into the south Sound, increasing rain Sunday night into Monday.
The NWS said heavy rainfall is increasing the threat of landslides in western Washington. The lowlands recorded 3 to 10 inches of rain over the last 18 days, which the weather service said increased soil moisture to high levels. Another 1 to 4 inches of rain is expected through Monday, which will put extra pressure on the soil instability.
The Mason County Sheriff's Office reported a mudslide Saturday night at SR-106 and East Purdy Cutoff Road. The road will be closed until Sunday between SR-101 and SR-106.
RELATED: Western Washington forecast
There will be a second, stronger winter storm moving in Sunday night through Monday, and then a third storm on Wednesday. Each storm will bring heavy rain at times, strong winds, and mountain snow, which will continue to increase the threat of flooding, landslides, and avalanches in the backcountry.
