Rain, snow to return to Pacific Northwest after weeks of dryness
While no blockbuster storms are heading for the Northwest, some opportunities for rain and snow will return and storm travel issues may develop.
You may have heard meteorologists using the phrases “atmospheric river” and “Pineapple Express” when talking about wet weather in California, but what do they really mean?
Rounds of rain and snow will move into the Northwest later this week and could cause travel trouble typical for this time of year, AccuWeather meteorologists say.
On the heels of Southern California receiving its first significant rain and mountain snow of the winter, some rain and snow will move into the Northwest later this week.
"After more than two weeks of mainly dry weather for places in the Pacific Northwest, such as Seattle, and Portland and Eugene, Oregon, a wind shift from the Pacific will break through and deliver at least one front and its moisture into the Northwest beginning on Thursday night and Friday," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dave Houk said.
Seattle's January rainfall has been about 20% of the historical average, which is 5.78 inches. Meanwhile, Portland has picked up just over 2 inches of rain, compared to a historical average of about 5 inches for the month.
As is often the case when a front or full-fledged storm moves onshore from the Pacific, freezing levels will rise and then fall as warm and cold air exchange.
"Snow levels will be lowering Friday and Friday night with slow and slippery travel through Snoqualmie Pass on I-90," Houk said.
It will get chilly enough for snow to fall near sea level by Saturday morning, but not much moisture will be left over by that time. Still, there could be enough lingering to produce wet snow showers in western Washington and northwestern Oregon on Saturday. "How much moisture is left behind will determine if there will be a small, slushy accumulation or not along the I-5 corridor," Houk said.
This weekend, there will most likely be a dry zone to the immediate east of the Cascades. Still, some rain and wet snow can fall in eastern parts of Washington and Oregon on Saturday night and Sunday.
During the first day of February, the bulk of precipitation will aim at Northern California, where an atmospheric river event is expected to unfold from Saturday into early next week.
"The same slow-moving storm off the coast next week will continue to direct moisture into the northern half of California where flooding could evolve in places that get several pulses of heavy rain," Houk said.
Rain amounts can eclipse 6 inches in the highest terrain, with the potential for flash flooding and mudslides.
Snow levels will be near sea level from Sunday to Tuesday in the coastal Northwest, and it is possible there can be a little accumulation around Seattle during that time, Houk explained.
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