Real mariners, like the Seattle Mariners, found themselves in dire straits Monday night as the first major fall/winter storm of the season bore down on the North Olympic Peninsula.
The National Weather Service issued a gale warning along the Strait of Juan de Fuca today with winds of up to 40 knots stirring waves of up to 6 feet.
On land, west winds of 25 mph to 35 mph — gusting to 45 mph — were expected to blow through Port Angeles, Sequim and Port Townsend this morning. The winds will diminish this afternoon as rain continues, the weather service said.
A two-day snow accumulation of 22 inches is expected in the Olympics above 3,000 feet by tonight, and gusts of up to 70 mph are possible on exposed ridges. The weather service issued a flood watch for West End coastal areas through today.
