Flood Watch Issued for Sammamish and Issaquah as 'Pineapple Express' Moves In

A wet weather pattern is exptected to bring steady rainfall to Sammamish, Issaquah and the rest of the Puget Sound region this week.

The forecast has prompted the National Weather Service to issue a flood watch for several areas, including Sammamish and Issaquah. The local forecast calls for rain the rest of the week, with high temperatures reaching the upper 50s Wednesday and Thursday.

Often referred to as a "Pineapple Express," this type of local weather pattern originates in Hawaii and brings uncommonly warm temperatures—along with plenty of rainfall. 

In the Olympics and North Cascades, the warm air will cause freezing levels to rise to 6,000 feet and bring 4 to 7 inches of rain. Lighter rainfall is expected through at least Wednesday in the Puget Sound lowlands and other parts of the Cascades.

"For the middle of March, this will be a notable event, worthy of a proper name," UW professor Cliff Mass writes on his weather blog, after dubbing the storm "Poseidon."

Do you typically get flooding in your neighborhood during this type of weather? Let us know in the comments. You can share your pictures in our Pics & Clips gallery when weather gets rough.