This image is taken in the infrared band of light and show relative warmth of objects. Colder objects are brighter and warmer objects are darker. Lower layers of clouds, generally warmer and lower in altitude, are colored gray. Colder and generally higher clouds tops are highlighted in colors/NOAA

A stormy forecast for the rest of the week has Olympic National Park staff in Washington state shutting down some roads and campgrounds as a precaution, while visitors to Mount Rainier National Park were warned to expect blizzard conditions and heavy snows. 

With a series of powerful storms forecast to begin later today, Olympic officials warned that high winds and very heavy rain were anticipated, raising the risk of falling trees and limbs, flooding and road damage. To prevent the possibility of visitors being trapped or injured by storm damage or falling debris, the park was to close the following areas at noon today:

* The Hurricane Ridge and Hoh roads was to close at noon today, Thursday October 13. The Mora Road is already closed to all entry due to construction.

The following campgrounds were to close today at noon: Mora, Kalaloch, Hoh, Ozette, Queets, Heart O’the Hills, Quinault North Fork and Quinault Graves Creek campgrounds.

“The coming storms are forecast to bring high winds, damaging surf and heavy rain, with the potential for extensive erosion, road damage and tree failure,” said Olympic Deputy Superintendent Lee Taylor. “We strongly urge people to stay indoors and avoid traveling this weekend.”

Once the storms pass, park crews would assess damage, make any needed repairs, and re-open roads and campgrounds when it is safe to do so. Given the forecast of extreme weather through Saturday night, the closures will likely last through the weekend, park officials predicted.

Updates would be posted on the park’s website and social media platforms as they are available.

Meanwhile, the weather discussion from the University of Washington painted an ominous outlook for Mount Rainier:

Stormy weather will create difficult mountaineering conditions on much of Mount Rainier's alpine terrain Thursday through Saturday night, including the upper portion of the Muir Snowfield. Blizzard-like conditions with strong winds and near-zero visibility are likely at times. Precipitation will be heavy. More than 3 feet of new snow is likely on the upper reaches of the mountain Thursday and Thursday night and again Saturday through Sunday. A high level of skill and experience, including use of GPS, is recommended for navigation and camping in these conditions.