Onslaught of precipitation to continue for storm-weary Pacific Northwest
By
Alex Sosnowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist
Published Jan 21, 2020 4:34 PM EST
Storms are taking aim at the Pacific Northwest on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020. (NOAA/GOES-WEST)
As January ends and February begins, storms originating over the Pacific will continue to roll into the northwestern United States, making it seem almost as though Mother Nature has strung together a long freight train of precipitation.
The stormy stretch may seem like business as usual during the wintertime for long-time residents in the Northwest, but many may grow weary of the relentless stormy pattern that will last through next week and perhaps longer. Any breaks of sunshine will be in short supply.
As storms line up over the northern Pacific Ocean and barrel into the Northwest, they are likely to hit the region every one to two days on average.
Since snow levels will only dip to a few thousand feet above sea level, the storms will bring all rain below the passes. Each storm is likely to deliver anywhere from a few tenths of an inch to a couple of inches of rain at low elevations.
As the storm train rolls along, incidents of urban flooding, mudslides and rockslides are anticipated when the rain pours down. Over an approximate two-week period, 6-12 inches of rain are likely to fall with locally higher amounts on the lower, west-facing slopes of the Olympics and Washington and Oregon Cascades.
Motorists should exercise caution along secondary mountainside roads as debris may have washed onto the road surface or the road may have been washed away in some extreme cases.
Higher-than-average snow levels will be a problem.
Snow levels will be higher during the storm train and will generally range from 4,000 to 6,000 feet, according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dave Samuhel.
"The rain will cause considerable snowmelt at intermediate elevations and add to runoff, which will greatly raise the risk for small stream and river flooding," Samuhel said.
On occasion, snow levels will dip to around 3,000 feet with some of the storms, which will mean that snow or a wintry mix will occur periodically over the passes. Motorists should obey transportation rules when venturing over the passes. Even during mild weather fog and gusty winds can be a problem in these areas.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP
The high snow levels and frequent storms will also mean more rain, more often, rather than snow over the interior locations of Washington and Oregon. Cities such as Spokane, Washington, and The Dalles and Medford, Oregon, can expect little to no snow during the pattern, unlike what unfolded during the middle of January.
Meanwhile, over the high country of the Washington Cascades and Olympics, each storm that plows ashore will bring a general 6-12 inches of snow with locally higher amounts. Snow will also pile up over the Oregon Cascades, while perhaps one out of three of the storms on average will bring snow to the northern Sierra Nevada of California.
During the next seven to 10 days, a few feet of snow are likely to pile up over the Oregon Cascades and northern Sierra Nevada. Farther north, yards of snow are likely to bury the high country of the Washington Cascades and Olympics.
The excessive amounts of snow, periodic gusty winds and varying temperatures will add stress to the slopes covered in deep snow. The risk of avalanches will generally increase with each storm. Venturing off designated or inspected trails could be dangerous and life-threatening.
An Anchorage, Alaska, resident avoided a meet-up with a bulky moose in January, diving into a shed and closing the door. He later called his wife to ensure him that the moose was gone.
Forecasters say that even though these storms may not turn out to be exceptionally strong, the constant pounding of the waves from the pattern can lead to coastal erosion and periodic coastal flooding.
The frequent nature of the storms can also lead to airline delays, particularly at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Windshield wipers will get a workout along the Interstate 5 corridor. Motorists will need to allow extra stopping distance during periods of heavy rain.
Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios.
Report a Typo
News / Winter Weather
Onslaught of precipitation to continue for storm-weary Pacific Northwest
By Alex Sosnowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist
Published Jan 21, 2020 4:34 PM EST
Storms are taking aim at the Pacific Northwest on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020. (NOAA/GOES-WEST)
As January ends and February begins, storms originating over the Pacific will continue to roll into the northwestern United States, making it seem almost as though Mother Nature has strung together a long freight train of precipitation.
The stormy stretch may seem like business as usual during the wintertime for long-time residents in the Northwest, but many may grow weary of the relentless stormy pattern that will last through next week and perhaps longer. Any breaks of sunshine will be in short supply.
As storms line up over the northern Pacific Ocean and barrel into the Northwest, they are likely to hit the region every one to two days on average.
Since snow levels will only dip to a few thousand feet above sea level, the storms will bring all rain below the passes. Each storm is likely to deliver anywhere from a few tenths of an inch to a couple of inches of rain at low elevations.
As the storm train rolls along, incidents of urban flooding, mudslides and rockslides are anticipated when the rain pours down. Over an approximate two-week period, 6-12 inches of rain are likely to fall with locally higher amounts on the lower, west-facing slopes of the Olympics and Washington and Oregon Cascades.
Motorists should exercise caution along secondary mountainside roads as debris may have washed onto the road surface or the road may have been washed away in some extreme cases.
Higher-than-average snow levels will be a problem.
Snow levels will be higher during the storm train and will generally range from 4,000 to 6,000 feet, according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dave Samuhel.
"The rain will cause considerable snowmelt at intermediate elevations and add to runoff, which will greatly raise the risk for small stream and river flooding," Samuhel said.
Related:
On occasion, snow levels will dip to around 3,000 feet with some of the storms, which will mean that snow or a wintry mix will occur periodically over the passes. Motorists should obey transportation rules when venturing over the passes. Even during mild weather fog and gusty winds can be a problem in these areas.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP
The high snow levels and frequent storms will also mean more rain, more often, rather than snow over the interior locations of Washington and Oregon. Cities such as Spokane, Washington, and The Dalles and Medford, Oregon, can expect little to no snow during the pattern, unlike what unfolded during the middle of January.
Meanwhile, over the high country of the Washington Cascades and Olympics, each storm that plows ashore will bring a general 6-12 inches of snow with locally higher amounts. Snow will also pile up over the Oregon Cascades, while perhaps one out of three of the storms on average will bring snow to the northern Sierra Nevada of California.
During the next seven to 10 days, a few feet of snow are likely to pile up over the Oregon Cascades and northern Sierra Nevada. Farther north, yards of snow are likely to bury the high country of the Washington Cascades and Olympics.
The excessive amounts of snow, periodic gusty winds and varying temperatures will add stress to the slopes covered in deep snow. The risk of avalanches will generally increase with each storm. Venturing off designated or inspected trails could be dangerous and life-threatening.
An Anchorage, Alaska, resident avoided a meet-up with a bulky moose in January, diving into a shed and closing the door. He later called his wife to ensure him that the moose was gone.
Forecasters say that even though these storms may not turn out to be exceptionally strong, the constant pounding of the waves from the pattern can lead to coastal erosion and periodic coastal flooding.
The frequent nature of the storms can also lead to airline delays, particularly at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Windshield wipers will get a workout along the Interstate 5 corridor. Motorists will need to allow extra stopping distance during periods of heavy rain.
Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios.
Report a Typo