A potent atmospheric river is forecast to slam into the Pacific Northwest this weekend, bringing prolonged heavy rainfall that could trigger significant flooding along rivers already running high from spring snowmelt. The Weather Prediction Center has issued a moderate risk of excessive rainfall for western Washington and Oregon from Friday through Sunday.
Rainfall totals of four to seven inches are expected in the Cascades foothills, with localized amounts potentially reaching nine inches at higher elevations. Several rivers in the region are already near bankfull levels, and hydrologists warn that this additional rainfall could push them into major flood stage.
