Potential for Flooding Coming Our Way

According to a release from the PDX National Weather Service, there are several weather systems that are impacting are area that contains both heavy rain continuing through Monday night and brisk winds of 35-45 mph in the inland valleys. Gusts of up to 50 mph may be possible. The amount of rain itself may cause some difficulties but coupled with rain saturation along with potential for winds causes a little extra concern.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has informed us that there is a Flood Watch* for some portions of Southwest Washington and Northwest Oregon from tonight (Sunday night) through late Monday night. This amount of rain would be enough to cause flooding issues for smaller drainages that are already clogged by autumn leaves across our area.

In addition, brisk winds of 35-45 mph with possible gusts up to 50 mph are forecasted for our area on Monday. Winds may gust to 45-55 mph over the higher elevations of the coastal mountains and 60-65 mph over the higher elevations of the cascades.

The slow moving and moisture laden frontal system that is continuing will bring us heavy rain will continue until tonight, Sunday night. There is a second stronger and wetter low pressure system that will bring even heavier rain in Monday through Monday night. Multiple inches of rain are likely even for the inland valleys.

For those traveling this holiday week the coast and coast range will see the heaviest precipitation with over ten inches possible in some locations by Tuesday. In addition, there is a high wind warning for the south coast, high wind watch in the Willipa Hills area and a Winter Storm Warning for the west slopes north and central cascades which will all make traveling very difficult. If traveling at all, please stay connect to local weather warnings for your particular area of travel as we head into the a heavy-travel holiday week.

*A Flood Watch means there is a potential for flooding based on current forecasts.