Hail, rain, and lightning strikes after NWS issues first Severe Thunderstorm Watch for Seattle since 1999
Severe thunderstorms swept through Seattle and much of the Pacific Northwest on March 26, 2025, after the National Weather Service (NWS) issued the first Severe Thunderstorm Watch for Seattle since 1999. The storms brought hail, rain, and frequent lightning that damaged multiple structures.
Thunderstorms moving over the Olympic Mountains on March 26, 2025. Image credit: NWS
Seattle and King County were placed under the first Severe Thunderstorm Watch since June 1999 on March 26, with weather authorities warning of hail and heavy rain due to a strong upper-level low-pressure system and an incoming jet stream moving into the region.
Heavy downpours that ensued caused minor urban flooding in several areas as lightning scattered across the sky. Hail was reported in parts of the Puget Sound region, including hailstones measuring 23 mm (0.9 inches) over the Olympics.
Several structures were damaged by lightning, including a residential property on the 3200 block of Kromer Avenue. Firefighters quickly extinguished a roof fire before it spread.
Seattle City Light reported that a lightning strike during Wednesday night’s storm caused a power outage affecting approximately 1 500 customers in south Seattle.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for King, Pierce, Lewis, and Thurston counties on Wednesday afternoon, prior to the storm’s arrival in the Puget Sound region.
This was the first time since June 1999 that Seattle and King County were included in a Severe Thunderstorm Watch, while the last such watch for Pierce, Lewis, and Thurston counties was in May 2017, according to the Storm Prediction Center (SPC).
Seattle Public Schools canceled all Wednesday evening events ahead of the storm.
“For everyone’s safety, all school buildings will close at 5 p.m,” Seattle Public Schools said in a statement. “This includes the Board Community Engagement session at Rainier Beach High School scheduled for 5:30 p.m. today. All sports practices and after-school activities should end early enough to allow families time to safely pick up their students.”
“We apologize for the short notice and appreciate your understanding as we prioritize the safety of our community.”
Over 200 flights were delayed at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, and one flight was canceled. Additionally, three flights from Seattle to Spokane were also delayed.
Before the storm system reached the region, Washington’s Emergency Management Division warned that not all residents were aware of the associated threats and potential dangers.
“Talk to your neighbors,” officials said. “I (the Public Information Officer posting this) just talked to three neighbors, and they had no idea. Knock on some doors, talk to folks in your lobby, wave at neighbors in yards, and give them a heads-up.”
The storm system reached the Oregon-Washington border around 17:00 local time (LT) on Wednesday. A line of thunderstorms moved through the Chehalis Valley into Long Beach at approximately 18:00 LT and reached the Aberdeen – Olympia area between 18:00 and 19:00 LT as the storms intensified.
The front arrived in the Seattle area around 19:00 LT, with several lightning strikes captured on tower cameras overlooking downtown Seattle.
By 21:20 LT, the risk of severe thunderstorm impacts was “rapidly falling in areas south of Jefferson and Snohomish counties,” according to the NWS. “There could be some additional rain and lightning overnight, but the risk of damaging winds, hail, and tornadoes is behind us.”
References:
1 Powerful storm system slams into Pacific Northwest – Fox Weather – March 25, 2025
2 Severe thunderstorms cause flight delays between Spokane and Seattle – KHQ – March 26, 2025
3 Thunderstorms light up the sky over western Washington – KOMO – March 27, 2025
Rishav is a skilled researcher specializing in extreme and severe weather reporting. He combines exceptional research capabilities with scientific precision to deliver clear, data-driven articles. Known for uncovering critical information, Rishav ensures his work is accurate, insightful, and impactful. His passion for both science and literature fuels his dedication to producing high-quality news articles. You can reach him at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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