Seattle, WA – A strong Pacific storm will bring dangerous marine conditions to the Washington coast and Strait of Juan de Fuca on Tuesday, with the National Weather Service in Seattle issuing Gale Warnings from 11 a.m. Tuesday through 2 a.m. Wednesday.
Forecasters expect south to southeast winds of 25–35 knots, with gusts up to 45 knots and seas building to 8–13 feet across the coastal waters from Cape Flattery to Cape Shoalwater and through the Strait of Juan de Fuca. A Small Craft Advisory will precede the gale from 2 a.m. to 11 a.m. Tuesday as winds begin to ramp up.
The combination of strong winds and rough seas will create hazardous conditions for small vessels, with risks of capsizing or structural damage. Visibility will also be reduced in heavy spray and rain.
The National Weather Service urges all mariners to seek safe harbor before Tuesday afternoon, secure vessels, and avoid navigating in open waters until winds ease early Wednesday morning.
Conditions are expected to gradually improve later Wednesday as the storm system moves inland.
