Deadly avalanche and flooding fears grip Washington as heavy rain persists
Heavy rain has soaked Western Washington over the weekend, with more downpours expected through Monday night. The wet weather follows a tragic avalanche on Friday that claimed the lives of two backcountry skiers near Cle Elum. Two climbers died in an avalanche north of Cle Elum on Friday. Authorities later identified them as 38-year-old Gene Vaynshelbaum from Seattle and 30-year-old Owen Earle from Redmond. The incident occurred as dangerous snow conditions persisted in the Cascades. An atmospheric river is now bringing moderate to heavy rain across the region. Forecasters predict 2 to 3 inches of rainfall by Monday night, raising concerns about river flooding in Skagit and Whatcom counties. Snow levels in the Olympics and North Cascades will stay near 7,000 feet, keeping higher elevations at risk. The National Weather Service has warned of very dangerous avalanche conditions on the west slopes of the North and Central Cascades. Meanwhile, Seattle's weather is set to improve mid-week, with temperatures possibly climbing into the mid-50s by Tuesday. The rain is expected to ease by mid-week, giving the Seattle area a break from the persistent wet weather. However, flooding risks remain high in vulnerable counties, and avalanche dangers continue in the mountains. Authorities urge caution for anyone travelling in backcountry or flood-prone areas.
