WASHINGTON STATE — When severe weather hits western Washington, where you live can make a big difference in the impact to you and your family.
To give a more accurate and more detailed forecast, meteorologists at the National Weather Service office in Seattle are about to make a change in how they issue forecasts.
Western Washington is divided into what are called the “public zones” for forecasting. Based on this map, watches, warnings, advisories, and special weather statements are issued for areas. Many of the zone borders follow county lines.
The problem comes with our many microclimates in western Washington. Within a single county there can be varying elevations, terrains and what the weather service calls “localized weather effects.”
Under the current system, NWS said an entire zone may be alerted to a severe weather event when only a small portion of the zone is expected to be impacted. That’s why a change is coming on March 18th…