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A series of systems will bring an extended period of wet weather
across northwest Oregon and southwest Washington through the
weekend. This will lead to rises on rivers and creeks, beginning
Wednesday evening, December 25th through at least Sunday, December
29th. There is currently a 15-30% probability that rivers west of
the Cascades will reach minor flood stage over the next ten days,
except for rivers in southwest Washington which have less than a 5%
chance.
Heavy rainfall may also lead to ponding of water and localized urban
flooding, especially in low lying areas or other areas with poor
drainage. Heavy rainfall will also increase the potential for
landslides and debris flows in areas of steep terrain.
The exact track of these upcoming storms will influence rainfall
amounts, and thus the potential for flooding. Shifts in storm track
can change the current outlook, so be sure to monitor
weather.gov/portland for the latest weather updates, as well as any
watches, warnings, or advisories that may be issued. To view the
latest river forecasts, visit water.noaa.gov/wfo/pqr.
...WINTER STORM TO BRING HEAVY MOUNTAIN SNOW TO THE
CASCADES CHRISTMAS EVENING INTO THURSDAY. LIGHT TO MODERATE SNOW
ACROSS PORTIONS OF NORTHERN WASHINGTON AND NORTH IDAHO...
* WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 12
and 22 inches.
* WHERE...Holden Village, Stevens Pass, and Stehekin.
* WHEN...From 1 PM Wednesday to 10 PM PST Thursday.
* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult leading up to and over
Stevens Pass.
Heavy wet snow falling at one inch per hour or more at times could
lead to isolated tree damage and power outages.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Lighter snow amounts will be possible at
Stehekin due to marginal temperatures near or above freezing.
...WINTER STORM TO BRING HEAVY MOUNTAIN SNOW TO THE
CASCADES CHRISTMAS EVENING INTO THURSDAY. LIGHT TO MODERATE SNOW
ACROSS PORTIONS OF NORTHERN WASHINGTON AND NORTH IDAHO...
* WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 2 and 5
inches in the valleys and 5 to 8 inches in the mountains including
Sherman Pass.
* WHERE...Kettle Falls, Newport, Tiger, Boulder Creek Road, Sherman
Pass, Flowery Trail Road, Metaline, Wauconda, Fruitland, Chewelah,
Inchelium, Springdale-Hunters Road, Northport, Highway 20 Wauconda
Summit, Deer Park, Republic, Orin-Rice Road, Chesaw Road, Ione,
Metaline Falls, and Colville.
* WHEN...From 4 PM Wednesday to 1 PM PST Thursday.
* IMPACTS...Winter travel conditions are expected Thursday morning.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Lowest confidence in snow amounts is along
the Columbia and Pend Oreille Rivers where warmer temperatures
could limit accumulations.
...WINTER STORM TO BRING HEAVY MOUNTAIN SNOW TO THE
CASCADES CHRISTMAS EVENING INTO THURSDAY. LIGHT TO MODERATE SNOW
ACROSS PORTIONS OF NORTHERN WASHINGTON AND NORTH IDAHO...
* WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 6 and 12
inches.
* WHERE...Twisp, Loup Loup Pass, Winthrop, Mazama, Conconully, and
Methow.
* WHEN...From 1 PM Wednesday to 1 PM PST Thursday.
* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. Snowfall rates could
approach one inch per hour at times Christmas night into Thursday
morning.
...WINTER STORM TO BRING HEAVY MOUNTAIN SNOW TO THE
CASCADES CHRISTMAS EVENING INTO THURSDAY. LIGHT TO MODERATE SNOW
ACROSS PORTIONS OF NORTHERN WASHINGTON AND NORTH IDAHO...
* WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 9 and
16 inches.
* WHERE...Leavenworth and Plain.
* WHEN...From 1 PM Wednesday to 1 PM PST Thursday.
* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. Heavy wet snow falling
at one inch per hour or more at times could lead to isolated tree
damage and power outages.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...The heaviest snow is expected to fall between
10PM and 4AM Thursday.
...WINTER STORM TO BRING HEAVY MOUNTAIN SNOW TO THE
CASCADES CHRISTMAS EVENING INTO THURSDAY. LIGHT TO MODERATE SNOW
ACROSS PORTIONS OF NORTHERN WASHINGTON AND NORTH IDAHO...
* WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 1 and 5
inches. Local amounts up to 9 inches possible on the higher
benches.
* WHERE...Omak, Oroville, Tonasket, Entiat, Okanogan, Wenatchee,
Disautel Pass, Pangborn Airport, Badger Mountain Road, Brewster,
Nespelem, Waterville, Number 2 Canyon, Mansfield, Number 1 Canyon,
Bridgeport, Cashmere, and Chelan.
* WHEN...From 1 PM Wednesday to 1 PM PST Thursday.
* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. Snowfall rates of one
inch per hour are expected at times Christmas night into early
Thursday morning.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Lowest confidence in snow amounts is along
the Columbia and Okanogan Rivers where warmer temperatures could
limit accumulations.
An atmospheric river event Wednesday into Thursday is expected to
produce heavy rainfall along the Pacific Coast. Rainfall
accumulations of 2 to 4 inches are expected, with locally higher
amounts possible. Rises of rivers and streams are expected as a
result of this heavy precipitation, with the Bogachiel River at La
Push at the highest risk of rising above flood stage Thursday
afternoon.
* WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible.
* WHERE...A portion of northwest Washington, including the following
county, Clallam.
* WHEN...From Wednesday afternoon through Friday afternoon.
* IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers,
creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
- Heavy rainfall from Wednesday night into Thursday may drive
the Bogachiel River at La Push into minor flood stage.
- http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood
* WHAT...For the Wind Advisory, southeast winds 15 to 30 mph with
gusts up to 55 mph expected. For the High Wind Watch, south winds
20 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph possible.
* WHERE...Admiralty Inlet Area, San Juan County, Western Skagit
County, and Western Whatcom County.
* WHEN...For the Wind Advisory, from 7 AM to 10 PM PST Wednesday.
For the High Wind Watch, from Wednesday evening through Thursday
afternoon.
* IMPACTS...Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines.
Widespread power outages are possible. Travel could be difficult,
especially for high profile vehicles.
* WHAT...For the Wind Advisory, southeast winds 15 to 25 mph with
gusts up to 50 mph expected. For the High Wind Watch, south winds
20 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph possible.
* WHERE...North Coast.
* WHEN...For the Wind Advisory, from 4 AM to 4 PM PST Wednesday. For
the High Wind Watch, from Wednesday evening through Thursday
afternoon.
* IMPACTS...Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines.
Widespread power outages are possible. Travel could be difficult,
especially for high profile vehicles.
* WHAT...South winds 20 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph possible.
* WHERE...Central Coast.
* WHEN...From Wednesday evening through Thursday afternoon.
* IMPACTS...Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines.
Widespread power outages are possible. Travel could be difficult,
especially for high profile vehicles.
* WHAT...For the Wind Advisory, southeast winds 15 to 30 mph with
gusts up to 55 mph expected. For the High Wind Watch, south winds
20 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph possible.
* WHERE...Admiralty Inlet Area, San Juan County, Western Skagit
County, and Western Whatcom County.
* WHEN...For the Wind Advisory, from 7 AM to 10 PM PST Wednesday.
For the High Wind Watch, from Wednesday evening through Thursday
afternoon.
* IMPACTS...Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines.
Widespread power outages are possible. Travel could be difficult,
especially for high profile vehicles.
* WHAT...For the Wind Advisory, southeast winds 15 to 25 mph with
gusts up to 50 mph expected. For the High Wind Watch, south winds
20 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph possible.
* WHERE...North Coast.
* WHEN...For the Wind Advisory, from 4 AM to 4 PM PST Wednesday. For
the High Wind Watch, from Wednesday evening through Thursday
afternoon.
* IMPACTS...Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines.
Widespread power outages are possible. Travel could be difficult,
especially for high profile vehicles.
ESFSEW
An atmospheric river remains on track to bring significant rainfall
to the Olympic Peninsula Wednesday into Thursday. Widespread
rainfall totals of 3 to 5 inches are expected in the mountains, with
locally over 6 inches over the highest peaks. Snow levels will
increase from 3,000 feet up to around 4,000 to 5,000 feet during
this time frame, with the lower snow levels over the Olympic
Mountain Peaks.
An extended wet period remains on track with snow levels above 4000
ft Thursday through next weekend over the Olympics, and into
portions of
southwestern Washington. The area of concern for additional river
flooding impacts may expand east to include rivers in Thurston and
Lewis counties.
Please monitor the latest river forecasts from the National Weather
Service for additional information.
* WHAT...For the High Surf Advisory, large waves and hazardous
surf conditions. Breakers up to 25 to 30 feet. For the Coastal
Flood Advisory, tidal overflow flooding expected.
* WHERE...South Washington Coast.
* WHEN...For the High Surf Advisory, from 4 PM Wednesday to 10
PM PST Thursday. For the Coastal Flood Advisory, from 6 AM to
noon PST Thursday.
* IMPACTS...Minor flooding, up to one foot above ground level,
during high tides is expected in the low lying areas near bays,
sloughs, and the lower reaches of the coastal rivers.
Destructive waves may wash over beaches, jetties, and other
structures unexpectedly. People can be swept off rocks and
jetties and drown while observing high surf. Minor beach erosion
may damage coastal properties and buildings. Higher than normal
water run-up is expected on beaches and low-lying shoreline.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...There is a high threat for sneaker waves. Toke
Point is forecast to reach 11.5 feet at 9 am on Thursday.
* WHAT...For the High Surf Advisory, large waves and hazardous
surf conditions. Breakers up to 25 to 30 feet. For the Coastal
Flood Advisory, tidal overflow flooding expected.
* WHERE...South Washington Coast.
* WHEN...For the High Surf Advisory, from 4 PM Wednesday to 10
PM PST Thursday. For the Coastal Flood Advisory, from 6 AM to
noon PST Thursday.
* IMPACTS...Minor flooding, up to one foot above ground level,
during high tides is expected in the low lying areas near bays,
sloughs, and the lower reaches of the coastal rivers.
Destructive waves may wash over beaches, jetties, and other
structures unexpectedly. People can be swept off rocks and
jetties and drown while observing high surf. Minor beach erosion
may damage coastal properties and buildings. Higher than normal
water run-up is expected on beaches and low-lying shoreline.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...There is a high threat for sneaker waves. Toke
Point is forecast to reach 11.5 feet at 9 am on Thursday.
* WHAT...South winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph expected
for the base of the northern Blue Mountains of Oregon and
Washington.
* WHERE...In Oregon, Foothills of the Northern Blue Mountains of
Oregon. In Washington, Foothills of the Blue Mountains of
Washington.
* WHEN...From 10 PM Wednesday to 10 AM PST Thursday.
* IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree
limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.
...MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW CHRISTMAS AFTERNOON THROUGH THURSDAY
ACROSS THE CASCADES...
.A winter system will move across the region during the afternoon
into evening on Christmas and bring widespread mountain snow to the
Cascades through Thursday. Snow levels will rise through Thursday,
with much of this activity tapering off or changing to rain by the
evening Thursday.
* WHAT...Heavy snow expected for elevations above 3000 feet. Total
snow accumulations between 6 and 18 inches.
* WHERE...Upper Slopes of the Eastern Washington Cascades Crest.
* WHEN...From 1 PM Wednesday to 10 PM PST Thursday.
* IMPACTS...Heavy snowfall and very low visibility will create
extremely dangerous driving conditions.
...MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW CHRISTMAS AFTERNOON THROUGH THURSDAY
ACROSS THE CASCADES...
.A winter system will move across the region during the afternoon
into evening on Christmas and bring widespread mountain snow to the
Cascades through Thursday. Snow levels will rise through Thursday,
with much of this activity tapering off or changing to rain by the
evening Thursday.
* WHAT...Heavy snow expected for elevations above 3000 feet. Total
snow accumulations up to 6 to 12 inches.
* WHERE...Lower Slopes of the Eastern Washington Cascades Crest.
* WHEN...From 4 PM Wednesday to 10 AM PST Thursday.
* IMPACTS...Periods of moderate and heavy snow will combine with low
visibilities to create difficult driving conditions.
* WHAT...Large breaking waves of 17 to 24 feet expected in the
surf zone Wednesday night through Thursday.
* WHERE...North Coast and Central Coast zones.
* WHEN...From 10 PM Wednesday to 10 PM PST Thursday.
* IMPACTS...Large waves may wash over beaches, jetties, and other
structures unexpectedly. Localized beach erosion is possible.
People can be swept off rocks and jetties, and drown while
observing high surf.
Snowfall is expected through the next few days as a number of wet
systems move through the Pacific Northwest. These wet systems are
associated with warmer air which will cause snow levels to be
elevated to near pass level of the Cascades. While snow is expected,
uncertainty is high for snow accumulations greater than 10 inches.
* WHAT...Snow expected above 4500 feet. From 4500 feet to 5000 feet,
total snow accumulation up to 6 inches. Above 5000 feet, total
snow accumulations of 18 to 20 inches. Winds gusting as high as 45
mph.
* WHERE...South Washington Cascades and the Northern and Central
Cascades of Oregon.
* WHEN...From 1 PM Wednesday to 10 PM PST Thursday.
* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible. Gusty
winds could bring down tree branches and reduce visibility with
falling snow.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snow levels are hovering right around 4500 to
5000 feet which is the elevation of the passes within the
Cascades. Because of this, if snow levels drop below pass level,
snow accumulation will be greater. There is less than a 10% chance
of seeing greater than 12 inches of snow at pass level.
