With 2 fatalities, more flooding and heavy snow on the way

We continue to see a stretch of busy weather in the Pacific Northwest these next several days as an atmospheric river takes aim. With two fatalities already occurring, more heavy rain and mountain snow are still in the forecast through the weekend.

The biggest impacts are being seen from Washington down to northern California. Dangerous flooding has occurred, and water rescues have had to be performed. Flash flood watches, flood advisories, and flood warnings paint the map in the Northwest.

The WeatherRadar already shows heavy rain streaming into the West Coast from northern California to northern Washington and northern Idaho today. This will continue throughout today and through Thursday.

The rain will focus mainly on the coast and lower elevations, but heavy mountain snow will fill in as the storm system moves east. For today, a marginal risk has been issued to highlight the risk of excessive rainfall. Northwest California to southwest Washington and far northern Idaho are included in these risk areas.

One to two inches of rain are expected along the Northwest Coast, while amounts greater than an inch are possible in far northern Idaho by early Thursday morning.

The low-pressure trough swinging across the Northwest is funneling in cold Arctic air, which will help initiate the heavier snow as the storm moves east. Winter weather advisories stretch from southern Oregon to the northern Sierras and into the northern Great Basin and northern Rockies.

From late tonight to late Thursday, more than 8 inches of snow are possible for the southern Oregon Cascades. Elevations above 6,000 feet in northern California can expect anywhere from 4 to 10 inches of snow, with 12 to 18 inches possible above 7,000 feet, making for treacherous travel through Thursday afternoon.

On top of that, winds gusting higher than 40 mph will lower visibility significantly in the mountains. Be sure to have a winter emergency kit stocked in your vehicle, mind chain restrictions, and even road closures if heading into higher elevations.

This storm system finally exits to the east late Friday before another round of heavy rain and snow moves in late in the morning and early in the afternoon on Saturday. Thankfully, this storm is more short-lived, lasting through early Monday at the latest, but the same hazards are in place.

There is already as much as a slight risk for excessive rainfall in place Saturday for the immediate Oregon Coast as well as far southwestern Washington and northwestern California. Be sure to keep an eye on your local forecast to get the most up-to-date information and alerts.