The National Weather Service issued a “Special Weather Statement” at 4:30pm Thursday (Nov. 12th), warning of a “vigorous cold front” hitting the area Friday morning, bringing rain, wind and snow to the mountains.

Could this be the first breath of ol’ man winter?

Here’s the statement:

… Active weather day expected Friday…

A vigorous cold front will pass southeast across western Washington Friday morning… bringing Rain… Mountain snows… locally windy conditions and possibly snow showers to parts of The Lowlands.

South winds in advance of the front will increase late tonight into early Friday morning… mainly along the coast and parts of the northwest interior including the Admiralty Inlet region. Wind speeds in those areas are expected to reach 20 to 30 mph with a few gusts to 45 mph… mainly in and around the Island County area. After the front passes… winds will become west to southwest down the Strait of Juan de Fuca and across the northwest interior before diminishing through the afternoon. While below Wind Advisory criteria… wind of this strength could blow down a few tree limbs here and there with isolated power outages.

Colder air will surge in behind the front and lower already low snow levels across the region. During the morning hours ahead of the front the snow level will be around 1500 to 2000 feet. The snow level will then gradually drop through the day to around 500 feet by evening. This means some of the highest hills around the region could see a few snow showers late Friday into Friday evening. However… outside of the mountains or the immediate Cascade foothills… little to no snow accumulation is expected.

Dry and tranquil weather will return to the region late Friday night into Saturday.

Des Moines’ Youth of Resurrection Lutheran Church has started “Operation Raincoat,” a program where people can donate gently-used coats for children, youth and even adults.

Donated coats will be distributed to area residents in need, and here’s how you can help:

Bring your gently-used coats of all sizes to:

Resurrection Lutheran Church
134 South 206th Street
Des Moines, WA 98198

Also, if you’d like to set up a drop-off station in your business or work place, please contact Elizabeth Schwanke at elizabeth.schwanke@live.com, or call 206.605.4277 and she’ll will be happy to provide flyers and a donation box.

Here’s info from their flyer:

For the past few months, the Youth of Resurrection Lutheran Church have been involved in a ministry called Bread of Life. Every Friday, rain (or snow, or hail..) or shine, we distribute bread to a a very in-need neighborhood of Des Moines. We do this not only to fulfill the immediate physical needs, but to share the hope and love of God with them. Every week as the bread truck pulls into the neighborhood, kids rush out of their homes to meet us, some with barefeet and most all without coats.

We felt compelled to do something more and so we’ve started a little something called “Operation Raincoat”. We are asking you to take a few minutes to look through your closets and ask your neighbors, co-workers, friends, and family memebers for gently used children and youth sized coats (we will take adult coats too!). This is such a great opportunity to help the “least of these” by keeping these children warm and dry during the cold and wet winter months.

There will also be a gathering at RLC on Friday, Nov. 20th at 7pm for fellowship, worship and to pray over the distribution of the coats.

All are invited.

The National Weather Service issued a “Special Weather Statement” Tuesday, Nov. 3rd at 4:57pm, warning of “very strong” winds and rain hitting the area Thursday (Nov. 5th) with gusts possibly as high as 50mph.

Here’s the warning in all its glory:

Statement as of 4:57 PM PST on November 03, 2009

… Windy conditions for the mountains… coast… and northern interior Thursday…

A strong Pacific frontal system will impact western Washington on Thursday. Breezy southeasterly winds on Wednesday night will become south-southwest on Thursday for the north interior and coast increasing to 20 to 30 mph with gust as high as 50 mph.

Winds just above the surface will be very strong on Thursday. Ridgetop winds for the Olympics and lower south facing slopes will range from 45 to 65 mph with higher gusts possible. Ridgetop winds along the southern slopes of the Cascades will also be windy… with sustained winds up to 50 mph possible. The strong winds will also be accompanied by heavy rains… combining for dangerous conditions in the mountains.

So…considered yourself warned – hold on to your hats and batten down your boats Des Moinesians!

The National Weather Service has issued a “Special Weather Statement” alerting us all that, despite the recent sunny and mild weather, the rain is a-comin’ back, starting Tuesday (Oct. 13th), so be sure to take heed an move all that crap in your yard and driveway back inside.

Here’s the statement, which was published at 4:44pm Sunday Oct. 11th:

Statement as of 4:44 PM PDT on October 11, 2009

… A series of Pacific storms will affect western Washington this week…

Columbus day will be a transition day from the recent cool and dry spell to an active… wet pattern. Look for a series of Pacific storms to affect the area starting Tuesday. The Tuesday system is expected to bring windy conditions to the coast and Cascade foothills as well as precipitation to the entire area. Chilly…east winds in the Cascade passes will mean that the precipitation will begin as snow or a rain and snow mix. However… significant snowfall amounts are unlikely.

Unsettled… wet conditions will persist on Wednesday as the region remains under the influence of a large area of low pressure over
the eastern Pacific. A much wetter system may affect the area during the latter part of the week.

Monitor forecasts from the National Weather Service in Seattle for updates on these upcoming events.

(Photo by Michael Brunk)