SEATTLE — An atmospheric river that stalled over western Washington for several days has moved out, leaving behind flooding caused by record-breaking rainfall.
Rainfall totals were impressive across the region. During the atmospheric river event, the interior lowlands got between 2.5 and 5.5 inches of rain and the Olympic and Cascade mountains got 3 to 7 inches, according to the National Weather Service. The area between Darrington and Gold Bar got between 8 and 10 inches.
Throughout Monday and Tuesday, Seattle recorded 3.75 inches of rain.
Some areas saw record-breaking daily rain totals. Sea-Tac Airport measured 2.39 inches of rain Tuesday, shattering the former daily record of 1.67 inches, which was set in 1970. Olympia's 2.96 inches of rain also broke the old daily record of 2.18 inches, also set in 1970.
This is the second rainiest start to December that Seattle has ever seen. In the first five days of the month, Sea-Tac recorded 5.03 inches of rain. This is second only to December 2007 when Seattle got 5.66 inches over the same time period.
Recent weather systems brought nearly as much rain as Seattle got this past November (5.78 inches), which is typically Seattle’s rainiest month.
Despite the massive amount of rainfall, Settle is still 7.25 inches behind its average rainfall of 38.77 inches.
Many areas saw record-breaking daytime high temperatures as well. Sea-Tac broke the daytime high record of 58 degrees with a new daily record of 59 degrees. Olympia's high of 62 degrees broke the old record of 56. Bellingham's daily high of 59 degrees broke the record of 58.
The warm temperatures reached the mountains as well, sending snowmelt into rivers and increasing flows. At one point on Tuesday, 16 rivers were under Flood Warnings.
One of the most dramatic swells was the Stillaguamish River near Arlington, which set a record crest, reaching 21.34 feet. The previous record of 21.16 feet was set Dec. 12, 2010. Major flood stage is 19 feet at that point in the river.