Powerful Atmospheric Rivers Trigger Flooding Threat in the Northwest

The atmospheric river that has been on the radar for days has arrived in the Pacific Northwest. Forecasters have been warning for days that this corner of the country would be under the gun for a pair of storms triggering heavy rain and gusty conditions through the middle of the week. Read on for all of the details of this volatile and potentially dangerous weather event.

Widespread Flooding Threat Across the Northwest Thanks to Pair of Atmospheric Rivers

The threat of flooding is back in the picture for western Washington and Oregon for the next few days as a pair of potent atmospheric rivers takes aim at the region. The storms are pushing in from the Pacific Ocean, bringing an influx of persistent moisture and high winds. The first of the duo of storms came ashore on Monday, unleashing a torrent of rain up and down the busy Interstate 5 corridor.

Tuesday dawned on a calmer note across most of the Northwest. However, the latest forecast models suggest that the steady stream of moisture will fire up again after the sun goes down, persisting through the day on Wednesday.

Atmospheric rivers act as giant firehoses of moisture, spraying heavy amounts of rain and snow across a large region at one time. This part of the country has experienced several moisture-packed storm systems in recent weeks, meaning that many rivers and streams are already running high. All of the additional rain and snow expected with this stormy pattern will raise the threat of flooding even further.