Pacific Northwest faces renewed flood threat due to atmospheric river
Widespread rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches are likely, with 3 to 5 inches of rain possible in areas such as the Olympics and Cascade foothills.
Relentless rain and snow pound West Coast; California, Pacific Northwest brace for next storm
Multiple storms will once again slam parts of the West Coast after weeks of rain, flooding and snow. Wet weather is expected through the first half of Monday from the Bay Area northward, with the potential for some lingering coastal flooding. A Flood Watch remains in effect for parts of Northern California through Monday. The threat shifts to the Pacific Northwest Tuesday, where the next storm will drop 1-2 inches of rain on the beleaguered coasts of Washington and Oregon. Winter Storm Watches have been issued for the Cascades where up to 4 feet of snow could fall through Wednesday.
WASHINGTON - A storm system, paired with an atmospheric river, will move through the Pacific Northwest on Monday, causing more rainfall in an area that has been inundated with precipitation in recent weeks.
An atmospheric river is forecast to impact the area now through Tuesday. Widespread rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches are likely, with 3 to 5 inches of rain possible in areas such as the Olympics and Cascade foothills.
What causes an atmospheric river is a narrow corridor of concentrated water vapor — usually from tropical origins — that is being carried by the jet stream. They are Earth's largest rivers — but in the sky.
This graphic shows how much rain is expected to fall in Washington through Monday.
(FOX Weather / FOX Weather)
Several months of consistent precipitation has left Washington in need of a dry period, and Seattle is currently half an inch above its year-to-date average, leaving many regional rivers near flood stage.
In the past few weeks, one person has died due to dangerous flooding in Northern California.
WATCH: LEVEE FAILURE PROMPTS OVERNIGHT EVACUATIONS, IMPACTS HUNDREDS OF HOMES IN WASHINGTON
In Washington, two levees failed, resulting in a flood that left entire neighborhoods swamped, affecting over 220 homes in the city of Pacific. A man also drowned after he drove his car onto a flooded road, just south of Snohomish, Washington.
This graphic shows which areas of Washington could see river flooding in the coming days.
(FOX Weather / FOX Weather)
As warm air surges into the region, snow levels are expected to climb from 2,500 to over 7,000 feet by Sunday evening, creating hazardous conditions for mountain pass travel, according to the FOX Forecast Center.
The Skykomish, Snohomish and Skagit rivers are already near bankfull, which means more rain will likely trigger flooding by early next week.
Check back for updates on this developing story.