Stormy Forecast for First Day of Fall

A strong storm will signal fall's arrival on Sunday, according to the National Weather Service in Seattle. Following is the special weather statement they've issued for the Puget Sound area on Sunday, Sept. 22:

...FIRST DAY OF AUTUMN WILL BE STORMY FOR WESTERN WASHINGTON... A STRONG BUT FAST MOVING PACIFIC STORM WILL BRING GUSTY WINDS... LOCALLY HEAVY RAIN...AND FALLING SNOW LEVELS TO THE AREA ON SUNDAY. THE STRONGEST WINDS ARE EXPECTED OVER THE COAST AND THE ADMIRALTY INLET AREA NORTHWARD...WHERE GUSTS NEAR 40 MPH ARE POSSIBLE. MANY OF THE DECIDUOUS TREES STILL HAVE THEIR LEAVES. THIS COMBINED WITH STRONG...GUSTY WINDS WILL INCREASE THE RISK FOR SNAPPED TREE LIMBS AND BRIEF POWER OUTAGES.

THE SNOW LEVEL IS FORECAST TO PLUMMET TO NEAR 6000 FEET BEHIND THE COLD FRONT SUNDAY AFTERNOON...WITH HEAVY SNOW EXPECTED ABOVE 7000 FEET. HIKERS AND THOSE WITH OTHER OUTDOOR INTERESTS IN THE MOUNTAINS SHOULD BE PREPARED FOR A SUDDEN CHANGE IN THE WEATHER AND DRESS ACCORDINGLY.

HEAVY RAIN AT TIMES IS ANTICIPATED ON THE COAST AND IN THE MOUNTAINS SUNDAY AND SUNDAY NIGHT. AMOUNTS OF 1 TO 2 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE ON THE COAST AND IN THE CASCADES...WITH UP TO 3 INCHES EXPECTED ON THE OLYMPIC RANGE...IN THE 24 HOUR PERIOD ENDING AT 5 AM PDT MONDAY. THIS WILL LIKELY LEAD TO SHARP RISES ON A FEW RIVERS SUCH AS THE SKOKOMISH. STAY TUNED TO THE LATEST FORECASTS FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN SEATTLE.