Go Back
  • For Business
  • |
  • Warnings
  • Data Suite
  • Forensics
  • Advertising
  • Superior Accuracy™
Flash floods kill 2 in New Jersey, strand subway riders in NYC Chevron right
Tropical rainstorm soaks Florida, could strengthen in Gulf before targeting Louisiana Chevron right

Columbus, OH

89°F
Location Chevron down
Location News Videos
Use Current Location
Recent

Columbus

Ohio

89°
No results found.
Try searching for a city, zip code or point of interest.
settings
Columbus, OH Weather
Today WinterCast Local {stormName} Tracker Hourly Daily Radar MinuteCast Monthly Air Quality Health & Activities

Around the Globe

Hurricane Tracker

Severe Weather

Radar & Maps

News

News & Features

Astronomy

Business

Climate

Health

Recreation

Sports

Travel

For Business

Warnings

Data Suite

Forensics

Advertising

Superior Accuracy™

Video

Winter Center

AccuWeather Early Hurricane Center Top Stories Trending Today Astronomy Heat Climate Health Recreation In Memoriam Case Studies Blogs & Webinars
Air Quality Alert

News / Weather News

Early week storm may be strongest yet this season in northwestern US

By Renee Duff, AccuWeather senior meteorologist

Published Dec 17, 2018 10:42 AM EDT | Updated Jul 1, 2019 5:03 PM EDT

Copied

Strong winds whipped waves into a frenzy at the Puget Sound just outside of Seattle, Washington, rocking this ferry in the process. The winds also knocked out power to tens of thousands in the area.

The storm sweeping across the northwestern United States through Tuesday will pack a big punch in Washington and Oregon.

This latest storm may prove to be the most impactful of the season so far in terms of rainfall, snow and wind for the Pacific Northwest.

“Pretty much all of western Washington and western Oregon will have the risk of flooding in low-lying and poor drainage areas and also the threat for flooding from rising creeks, streams and rivers,” said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dave Houk.

Rainfall totals of 3-6 inches are possible at the coast, in the coastal ranges and into the Cascades, with 1-3 inches for the Interstate-5 corridor and inland valleys.

NW Tue 12.18 AM

People traveling along I-5 from Medford to Eugene, Salem and Portland, Oregon; and toward Olympia, Tacoma and Seattle, Washington, will want to make sure windshield wipers are in good working order and tires do not have worn tread.

In addition to facing reduced visibility, motorists can encounter ponding of water and flooded, closed roads.

Never make an attempt to drive through floodwaters, as the water can be deeper and moving faster than it appears. Instead, turn around and find a safer, alternate route.

RELATED:

How dangerous is it for untrained bystanders to perform water rescues?
How do avalanches occur?
Snow, rain and wind in late-week storm to impact holiday travel in eastern US

While the heaviest snow will fall above 3,000 feet in the Washington Cascades, snow can still lead to slick conditions across Snoqualmie Pass east of Seattle on I-90 through Tuesday.

Where precipitation remains all snow for the duration of the event in the highest elevations of the Washington Cascades, over a foot of snow can accumulate.

The combination of heavy snow, wind and fluctuating snow levels will result in an increased threat for avalanches across the Washington Cascades through Tuesday.

Gusty winds threaten to cause additional travel difficulties, tree damage and power outages.

The highest gusts will be along the coast where winds exceeding 70 mph into Tuesday morning can down trees and disrupt electricity.

NW Winds 12.18 AM

“The threat for power outages will extend eastward to include the I-5 corridor, though highest peak gusts there will be closer to 50 mph,” Houk said.

Any trees that have been weakened by recent rain and wind events will be more susceptible to being toppled over in the gusty weather.

The high winds will spread inland across the Northwest from Tuesday into Wednesday.

Snow will also spread into the Bitterroot Mountains and northern Rockies during this time frame, and with the gusty winds, will create reductions in visibility.

Motorists, especially those driving high-profile vehicles, can face significant crosswinds along stretches of U.S. Route 101 and interstates 5, 15, 84 and 90.

Outdoor furniture, holiday decorations and trash cans should be secured or stowed away until the windiest weather has passed.

Download the AccuWeather app to see the exact impacts from the storm for your area.

US Thursday outlook 12.18 AM

The region will have little time to regroup itself when the storm exits around midweek, as the next system will be knocking on the doorstep.

However, much less rain, wind and snow is expected with the next system, which will arrive on Thursday.

Report a Typo

Weather News

Weather News

Inside the grueling recovery effort after Texas’ deadly flood

Jul. 15, 2025
Severe Weather

Flash flooding swamps Northeast metro areas as extreme rain threatens ...

Jul. 15, 2025
Weather Forecasts

Flood-weary Texas finally drying out, but near 100-degree heat looms

Jul. 15, 2025
Weather News

The Deadliest Floods in Texas History: A State at Risk

Jul. 14, 2025
video

Before-and-after pictures show devastation caused by Texas floods

Jul. 9, 2025
Severe Weather

Severe weather to rumble in the central US through the holiday weekend

Jul. 6, 2025
Weather News

Record sargassum seaweed piles up on Caribbean islands, Gulf

Jul. 2, 2025
Weather News

Alabama teen in ICU after lightning strike hits boat, causing burns an...

Jul. 2, 2025
Show more Show less Chevron down

Topics

AccuWeather Early

Hurricane Center

Top Stories

Trending Today

Astronomy

Heat

Climate

Health

Recreation

In Memoriam

Case Studies

Blogs & Webinars

Top Stories

Weather News

Inside the grueling recovery effort after Texas’ deadly flood

6 hours ago

Weather Forecasts

Flood-weary Texas finally drying out, but near 100-degree heat looms

3 hours ago

Hurricane

Tropical Rainstorm to drench Florida, Gulf Coast

3 hours ago

Weather News

Grand Canyon fires force closures

13 hours ago

Weather Forecasts

Flash flood dangers far from over as storms reload across US

3 hours ago

More Stories

Featured Stories

Astronomy

Noctilucent clouds shimmer in summer sky

1 day ago

Recreation

Yellowstone’s landscape shifts again with discovery of new hot pool

1 day ago

Weather News

Orcas are bringing humans gifts of food – but why?

4 days ago

Weather News

Giant shoes found spark mystery around the soldiers of ancient Rome

1 day ago

Weather News

It’s not just humans – chimpanzees also like to follow trends

1 day ago

AccuWeather Weather News Early week storm may be strongest yet this season in northwestern US
Company
Proven Superior Accuracy About AccuWeather Digital Advertising Careers Press Contact Us
Products & Services
For Business For Partners For Advertising AccuWeather APIs AccuWeather Connect RealFeel® and RealFeel Shade™ Personal Weather Stations
Apps & Downloads
iPhone App Android App See all Apps & Downloads
Subscription Services
AccuWeather Premium AccuWeather Professional
More
AccuWeather Ready Business Health Hurricane Leisure and Recreation Severe Weather Space and Astronomy Sports Travel Weather News Winter Center
Company
Proven Superior Accuracy About AccuWeather Digital Advertising Careers Press Contact Us
Products & Services
For Business For Partners For Advertising AccuWeather APIs AccuWeather Connect RealFeel® and RealFeel Shade™ Personal Weather Stations
Apps & Downloads
iPhone App Android App See all Apps & Downloads
Subscription Services
AccuWeather Premium AccuWeather Professional
More
AccuWeather Ready Business Health Hurricane Leisure and Recreation Severe Weather Space and Astronomy Sports Travel Weather News Winter Center
© 2025 AccuWeather, Inc. "AccuWeather" and sun design are registered trademarks of AccuWeather, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy | About Your Privacy Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

...

...

...