Submitted by Lewis County Emergency Management
The National Weather Service (NWS) in Seattle has issued a severe weather warning for Lewis County, Washington, as a strong thunderstorm is expected to hit the area today, March 26, 2025. The storm is expected to reach Lewis County around 4 or 5 p.m., and the most intense period of the storm is forecast to last for approximately two hours, bringing hazardous conditions to the region.
Reid Wolcott, Warning Coordination Meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Seattle, provided the following information during a briefing with local emergency responders earlier today, emphasizing the seriousness of the threats – especially those regarding the potential for golf-ball sized hail.
Key threats:
- Lightning: Lightning is expected throughout all of Lewis County.
- Severe hail: The most significant concern is the possibility of large hail. Most of Lewis County faces a 15 percent to 29 percent chance of hail measuring 1 inch in diameter or larger. Areas east of the Interstate 5 corridor also have a 10 percent chance of hail reaching 2 inches in diameter or more.
- Wind gusts: The storm may bring wind gusts of up to 58 mph, with a 5 percent to 14 percent risk of these high winds affecting the area.
- Tornado threat: There is a 2 percent to 4 percent chance of tornadoes, “a rare but noteworthy concern.”
- Flooding: Urban areas with poor drainage may experience localized flooding during the storm.
Wolcott stressed that the region’s tornado threat is a “tertiary” concern, noting that tornado warnings are rare for Southwest Washington.
Safety precautions:
Residents are urged to remain alert and take necessary precautions to protect themselves during the severe weather. The NWS, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and weather.com, provides the following recommendations to stay safe during the storm:
- Stay weather ready: Keep tuned to local news or a NOAA Weather Radio for real-time updates on severe thunderstorm watches and warnings.
- At your house: Go to a secure location, away from windows. If time permits, bring pets to safety as well.
- At work or school: Stay away from windows and avoid large open spaces like cafeterias or auditoriums. Seek shelter in interior rooms if a storm is approaching.
- Outside: Seek shelter immediately in a sturdy building. Sheds and outdoor structures are not safe. Avoid standing under trees, as they can fall or increase the risk of being struck by lightning.
- In a vehicle: While safer than being outside, vehicles should still be driven to a secure shelter if time allows.
According to the Washington Emergency Management Division (EMD), tornadoes can appear suddenly then stop. “If you are receiving golf ball hail or larger,” EMD recently shared, “you are near the most dangerous part of a severe storm which could be followed by a tornado.”
EMD suggests individuals use the mnemonic device “DUCK” in the case of a tornado:
- Down to the lowest level
- Under something sturdy
- Cover your head
- Keep in the shelter until the storm has passed.
What to expect:
Timing: The storm is expected to arrive around 4 or 5 p.m. March 26, with the heaviest activity expected to last about two hours.
Impact areas: All of Lewis County is at risk for the severe weather, with specific concerns about hail, wind, and localized flooding.
Stay prepared, stay safe
For more information on the storm and severe weather preparedness, residents are encouraged to monitor official sources, including the National Weather Service and local emergency management authorities.
Lewis County residents and visitors also are encouraged to sign up for the county’s emergency messaging system, Lewis County Alert – which provides updates regarding police, fire, severe weather, and health and safety emergencies – by visiting here.
Residents are urged to avoid calling 911 unless it’s for a life-threatening emergency. For any additional inquiries, please contact Lewis County Emergency Management at 360.740.1151.
