How long will the lull in storms last across northwestern US?

Following the storm barrage earlier this week, the northwestern United States will experience less frequent bouts of rain, wind and snow heading into next week.

As opposed to a new storm crashing ashore one day after the next, like what occurred earlier this week, it will take until the last half of the weekend for the next storm to reach the Pacific Northwest.

“Relatively dry and calmer weather is expected to prevail through at least the first half of the weekend,” AccuWeather Meteorologist Faith Eherts said.

Nuisance rain and snow showers in Washington and Oregon will be all that remains of the most recent storm into Friday night.

The lull in significant precipitation will help crews continuing to clean up after Monday’s deadly storm, which left over 150,000 without power in western Washington, according to the Seattle Times.

A northward bulge in the jet stream, or fast river of air high in the atmosphere that guides storms along, will bring the stormy pattern back to the Pacific Northwest late Sunday into Monday.

While this system may not pack as much wind as prior storms, the combination of saturated soil and compromised root structures could lead to some fallen trees.

At the very least, a thorough soaking is in store across western Washington, Oregon and perhaps into Northern California. Snow levels will be fairly high through the event.

The jet stream also acts as a divider between cold and warm air.

Given the northward-bulging jet stream, we are confident that warmer-than-usual air will build next week from the western Plains back through the West, according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Jack Boston.

“The exception will be western Washington, western Oregon and Northern California, where the Pacific jet can bring continued storminess,” Boston said.

Beyond Monday, at least one more storm will crash onto the Pacific Northwest coast during the week of Thanksgiving.

Those with Thanksgiving travel plans along stretches of interstates 5, 84 and 90 should anticipate slower travel not only because of the increased number of motorists on the road, but also because of the poor weather conditions.

Airline passengers with flights in and out of Seattle and Portland, Oregon, should be prepared for possible delays. Instead of rising snow levels with that storm, snow levels may drop down to the passes.

The stormy pattern may linger right into Thanksgiving Day.

Report a Typo