Seattle storm marks start of the rainy season

• "We're transitioning to a more fall-like pattern," Dev McMillian, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Seattle, told Axios. "We've had a rain shortfall most of the year, so hopefully we can turn that around this weekend and in the weekends to come."

Driving the news: The strongest part of the storm is predicted to arrive late Thursday or early Friday and last through Saturday before tapering to showers on Sunday, per the weather service.

By the numbers: Rain totals around the Seattle area could top 1 inch, per McMillian.

• The coast could see up to 4 inches of rain as well as gusty winds and heavy seas, he said.
• Up to 4 inches of snow could fall at higher elevations in the Cascades and Olympics, potentially good news for winter sports enthusiasts and the region's snowpack.

What's next: Expect a few dryer days at the beginning of next week before another storm midweek that could linger through the weekend, per McMillian.