Prolonged Atmospheric River to Soak Pacific Northwest With Days of Heavy Rain

Overview

• The NWS Weather Prediction Center says a long-duration atmospheric river is ramping up rainfall today across coastal Washington and Oregon.
• Flood Watches cover northwest Oregon and parts of western Washington, and forecasters say flooding could linger into Thursday after the heaviest rain.
• Totals may reach 6–12 inches regionwide, including up to about 10 inches in the Olympics, Cascades and Washington’s coastal ranges.
• The National Water Center expects considerable flooding impacts from the Cascade Foothills to Puget Sound, with landslides possible on saturated slopes.
• Local forecasters note a Central Oregon rain shadow and gusts of 25–35 mph nearby, as NWS Portland urges drivers to avoid flooded roads.