What is an atmospheric river hitting the Pacific Northwest?

An atmospheric river is a long, narrow current of water vapor in the atmosphere that transports moisture, often bringing heavy rain, snow, and strong winds.

When is the next atmospheric river expected in Washington and Oregon?

The next atmospheric river is forecast to bring intense rainfall to western Washington and Oregon starting Monday and continuing through Wednesday morning.

What are the risks associated with atmospheric rivers in the Pacific Northwest?

Atmospheric rivers can cause severe flooding, mudslides, and widespread power outages, despite also bringing beneficial snowpack.

Home / Weather / Pacific Northwest Braces for Another Atmospheric River

Pacific Northwest Braces for Another Atmospheric River

15 Dec

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Summary

Another atmospheric river is forecast for the Pacific Northwest this week.
Recent storms caused widespread flooding, evacuations, and power outages.
A risk of flooding and landslides continues through at least late December.

Pacific Northwest Braces for Another Atmospheric River

Meteorologists with the National Weather Service are issuing warnings for an impending atmospheric river set to impact the Pacific Northwest later this week. This forecast arrives as Washington and Oregon are still grappling with the aftermath of a powerful, prolonged atmospheric river that saturated the region with heavy rainfall last week. These storms have a history of breaking flooding records and can trigger deadly mudslides.

The "Pineapple Express" atmospheric river is expected to bring intense, long-duration rainfall to western Washington, Oregon, and northwestern California from Monday through Wednesday morning. This latest system follows back-to-back atmospheric rivers that already caused flash flooding, mudslides, and swollen rivers. Forecasters anticipate additional atmospheric rivers impacting the West later this month.