5-day stretch of rain and snow

Multiple storm systems are getting ready to impact the West with the main concern extending from the Pacific Northwest to the Great Basin and Rockies. Heavy rain and snow are both expected.

Thanks to high pressure spinning in the eastern Pacific, these low-pressure storm systems will easily ride the northern fringe and be pushed into the Northwest. The first storm will move into the Northwest early on Thursday. Heavy coastal rain will stretch from northern Washington to northern California with heavy snow falling from the northern Washington Cascades through the Sierras.

Winter weather advisories as well as winter storm watches and warnings are already posted ahead of the events due to deteriorating conditions above 3,500 feet starting Thursday for the Cascades and Friday further east in the northern Rockies.

At this time, snow amounts within the winter weather advisories come to 4 to 8 inches, but those higher than 3,500 feet and also in the winter storm watch regions can expect to see anywhere from 10 to 20 inches, with up to 30 inches possible above 5,000 feet by Saturday.

Not to be outdone, wind gusts could reach 50 mph, lowering visibility even more for mountain travelers.

Those in the lower elevations can expect heavy rain coming with this line of storm systems too. By Sunday, many along the Pacific Northwest Coast to the Northwest California Coast could see between 3 and 5 inches of rainfall.

Flash flooding is possible in these bursts of heavy rain as the storms march their way in, especially in areas with recent burn scars and drought-stricken grounds. Elevations below 3,500 feet can expect to see heavy rainfall and, starting on Saturday, excessive rainfall risks are in place.

Saturday’s excessive rainfall focuses on far southwestern Oregon and far northwestern California, but this concern for isolated flooding grows on Sunday when much of Oregon’s coast is included.

Up to 4 inches could fall inside the excessive rainfall risk Saturday with an additional 2 to 4 falling on Sunday. Stay alert, especially if you live in areas where there is poor drainage or rivers and creeks rise quickly.

Have at least three ways to receive a weather warning and have your app alerts switched on to receive the latest rain and snow information.