After historic flooding swept through Western Washington last week, another powerful storm system is already moving into the Pacific Northwest. This week’s atmospheric river is expected to bring widespread impacts, including power outages, fallen trees, and road closures.
Read on for all the important info.
KIRO 7 meteorologist Nick Allard told Seattle’s Morning News on KIRO Newsradio that while flooding may not reach last week’s extreme levels, this week’s weather could be more disruptive overall. “This is going to be even more widespread and impactful,” Allard said, pointing to strong winds, heavy rain, and snow as major concerns. Meteorologist Michael Snyder echoed that outlook, writing on X that the Pacific Northwest is forecast to be the wettest place on Earth outside of the tropics this week. Allard added that the storm system stretches farther south and west than Hawaii.
Rain has already begun. Seattle recorded nearly three-quarters of an inch by early Monday morning. Lowland areas can expect one to three inches of rain through midweek, while mountain locations may see three to seven inches before colder air turns rain into snow.
Wind is expected to be the biggest threat. Gusts have already reached 40 to 50 miles per hour, and stronger winds are still ahead. A high wind watch begins Tuesday evening, with gusts potentially hitting 50 to 60 miles per hour overnight into Wednesday.
Rivers across the region will rise again. While flooding is not expected to be as severe as last week, several rivers—including the Skagit, Snoqualmie, and Snohomish—are forecast to reach moderate to major flood stages. Officials continue to urge drivers to avoid flooded roads and never drive around barricades.
Looking ahead, conditions should gradually improve later in the week as snow builds in the mountains, though chilly rain showers are expected to linger into next weekend. Be prepared for power outages and road closures this week, and stay safe Seattle!