A parade of storms will soak the Northwest into the weekend

Rain and snow are returning with a vengeance to the Pacific Northwest into the weekend. Inches of rain at the lower elevations and feet of snow in the mountains are expected.

December is off to a wet start in the Pacific Northwest. The WeatherRadar is already lit up with rain and snow, and more is on the way as we head into the weekend and into next week. Multiple rounds of moisture and a strong atmospheric river that arrives Sunday will wallop the region.

Rounds of showers and snow are in the forecast for Friday, through the weekend, and into next week across the Pacific Northwest and into the Rockies. Much of the moisture will be focused on Oregon and Washington Friday, making for gloomy conditions in cities like Seattle and Portland, Ore.

The wet conditions continue for the Pacific Northwest over the weekend, with moisture spreading into the Rockies by Saturday and Sunday. The coastal ranges will see the highest rainfall totals this weekend with 5-10 inches expected. Flash flooding is a concern over the weekend and into next week for coastal Oregon and Washington where 3-7 inches are expected to fall through Tuesday.

Snow will also be an issue for the Cascades and the Rockies. Winter storm warnings are in place for the Cascades where 1-3 feet of heavy snow is forecast for the highest peaks, and up to a foot in the higher elevations. A winter storm warning is also in place in northern Idaho, where up to a foot of snow is expected above 4,000 feet and up to 4 inches below 4,000 feet. Gusty winds up to 50 mph will decrease visibility and lead to whiteout conditions at times.

Winter storm warnings and advisories also extend south into the Rockies and as far south as the mountains in Arizona and New Mexico, where up to a foot of snow is expected.

Travel in mountain passes will be difficult, even impossible at times, and the excess moisture may also lead to river flooding in the Pacific Northwest. If you live in a flood-prone area, monitor the forecast and make sure your Weather & Radar app alerts are turned on.