Snowy, wintry weather is expected to continue easing its grip on the North Olympic Peninsula — at least until Friday.
In the meantime, a small stream advisory warning was in effect for Clallam and Jefferson counties Saturday.
The National Weather Service was concerned that streams — not main-stem rivers — would back up due to snow melt and rainfall and would overflow some stream banks, agency Meteorologist Dennis D’Amico said.
A half-inch of rain is expected in parts of Clallam and Jefferson counties today, with an inch forecast for Forks, D’Amico said.
The Weather Service also is concerned storm drains may back up, causing water to pool in city streets as rainy weather continues through this week, he said.
No flooding was reported from rains that reached downpour levels Friday night.
In addition, no major vehicle mishaps occurred on icy side roads that turned viscous when pelted by rain Friday.
Peninsula ice
The south Puget Sound received more snowfall, “but you guys got a lot more ice,” D’Amico said.
“We got all this snow and now warm temperatures and rain,” D’Amico said.
“The worst was [Friday] night, when there was ponding on roadways, that kind of stuff.”
Temperatures on the North Olympic Peninsula are expected to be in the upper 30s to low 40s until they perhaps dip again Friday.
“We’ve got a shot at getting cold air starting Friday into the weekend, but up to that point, it looks fairly mild and seasonal,” D’Amico said.
D’Amico was not ready to forecast if this coming weekend’s cold weather would include more snow.
“I’m not ready to go down that route yet,” D’Amico said.
Clallam County
Rain gauges throughout the county indicated 2 to 5 inches of rain fell from Friday morning to Saturday morning, said Jayme Wisecup, county emergency management coordinator.
The rain fell on snow that had reached 10 to 20 inches in some parts of Clallam County after storms last Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
“The good news is, there are no [mud]slides yet,” she said Saturday.
“Snow melt plus rain hammering into it is another variable that’s going to help it slide.”
A high wind watch will be in effect this morning through this evening in Clallam County, with winds of 25 mph to 40 mph expected and gusts of 60 mph along the coast, including Neah Bay and LaPush, Wisecup said.
Heavy rainfall is expected mid-week, she said, adding that some residents may see West End streams that feed into the Hoko and Bogachiel rivers over-top.
Jefferson County
Bob Hamlin, county emergency services coordinator, said Saturday that road conditions continued to improve after 4 to 8 inches fell on parts of Jefferson County on Tuesday and Wednesday.
While the stream advisory was in effect, “we have a downward trend on most of our streams,” Hamlin said.
“I think we’re kind of out of this one,” he said of last week’s harsh weather.
Major thoroughfares have been cleared of snow and ice, and conditions on less-traveled rural and side roads continue to improve, Hamlin said.
“The biggest problem was [Friday], with roads starting to melt,” he said.
“It got pretty sloppy out there,” Hamlin said.
“I think they are just going to improve as it stays warm and wet.”
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Senior Staff Writer Paul Gottlieb can be reached at 360-417-3536 or at paul.gottlieb@peninsuladailynews.com.
