PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — A powerful atmospheric river is making its way toward the Pacific Northwest, specifically targeting southwest Washington and northwest Oregon.
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KATU has issued a Storm Tracker 2 Weather Alert, warning of significant rainfall across a three-day span, starting Wednesday and extending until Friday.
Storm Tracker 2 Digital Meteorologist Bobby Corser explained that “This round of heavy rain will bring inches of rain to the Oregon Coast, Willamette Valley and Cascade foothills at first, then move up the mountains as the snow level rises.” He added, “The snow level will quickly rise above the passes and settle around 6,000 feet at first.”
The snow elevation is projected to ascend further, particularly on Wednesday evening, before receding to approximately 6,000 feet by Thursday and Friday.
Government Camp is forecast to receive roughly a foot of snow before the precipitation transitions to rain late Wednesday.
A Winter Weather Advisory is still active until 5 p.m. Wednesday. Meanwhile, on the eastern side of the Cascades, a High Wind Warning is slated to commence at 8 p.m. Wednesday. Southwesterly winds are predicted to blow at 20 to 30 mph, with potential gusts reaching 60 mph.
Predictive models suggest that the Portland metropolitan area and the central Willamette Valley might experience rainfall totals of 3 to 6 inches. For the central and northern Oregon Coast, precipitation is expected to be between 4 and 7 inches, while the southern Willamette Valley is likely to get around an inch.
As the atmospheric river makes its arrival on Wednesday afternoon, an escalation in wind speeds is anticipated.
Wind gusts reaching up to 40 mph are projected for the Portland vicinity, with potentially higher speeds in the Columbia River Gorge and mountainous regions.
Winds are forecast to considerably subside early Thursday morning as the accompanying cold front moves southward. However, they are expected to pick up again late Thursday night when the front advances northward.
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Coastal rivers and those within the Coast Range are predicted to swell, though extensive flooding is not anticipated. Similarly, creeks and rivers in the Willamette Valley will see elevated levels, but widespread inundation is improbable.
According to the National Weather Service in Portland, localized river flooding might cause minor water accumulation in susceptible areas. Motorists should also be ready for pooling water on certain city roads.
Saturday offers a temporary break from the weather, yet forecasting models indicate the potential arrival of another powerful atmospheric river in the coming week.