Pacific Northwest Prepares for Increased Flooding Rainfall This Week

Washington and the Pacific Northwest are currently experiencing a series of intense downpours this week, significantly increasing flood risks in the area. Residents are still recovering from the historic rains that occurred last week.

On Monday, heavy rain peaked in Washington, with forecasts predicting up to 3 inches (8 centimeters) of rain throughout the day. This is just the beginning, as another storm system is expected to arrive on Wednesday, followed by a third system on Sunday. According to Ashton Robinson Cook, a forecaster at the U.S. Weather Prediction Center, these storms could deliver between 7 to 10 inches of rain in regions already saturated from record flooding, prompting evacuation warnings for over 100,000 residents.

“There could be considerable flood impacts on rivers that are already swollen due to the excessive rainfall over the past month,” Robinson Cook stated. “Western Washington is where the worst of it is expected.”

The heavy rainfall is attributed to atmospheric rivers—long plumes of moisture originating from the Pacific Ocean. These systems can bring as much water as that flowing through the mouth of the Mississippi River. Some areas have already received over 16 inches of rain, leading to major highway closures and rivers overflowing their banks.

In addition to Washington, heavy rain is also forecasted for British Columbia. Yellow rainfall warnings have been issued in Vancouver, while orange warnings are in effect for certain regional highways that may become impassable due to flooding, as reported by Environment and Climate Change Canada.

Robinson Cook noted that the situation could worsen if snow falls at higher elevations and combines with the rain, creating additional meltwater that heightens the flood threat. Each storm is expected to impact different areas, with the second system likely to affect Oregon and the third moving further south into California.

“There is going to be quite a bit of rain,” he emphasized.

Top photo: Water from the Snohomish River partially submerges homes in Snohomish, Washington on Dec. 12. Bloomberg.

Copyright 2025 Bloomberg.

Topics
Flood

Washington and the Pacific Northwest are currently experiencing a series of intense downpours this week, significantly increasing flood risks in the area. Residents are still recovering from the historic rains that occurred last week.

On Monday, heavy rain peaked in Washington, with forecasts predicting up to 3 inches (8 centimeters) of rain throughout the day. This is just the beginning, as another storm system is expected to arrive on Wednesday, followed by a third system on Sunday. According to Ashton Robinson Cook, a forecaster at the U.S. Weather Prediction Center, these storms could deliver between 7 to 10 inches of rain in regions already saturated from record flooding, prompting evacuation warnings for over 100,000 residents.

“There could be considerable flood impacts on rivers that are already swollen due to the excessive rainfall over the past month,” Robinson Cook stated. “Western Washington is where the worst of it is expected.”

The heavy rainfall is attributed to atmospheric rivers—long plumes of moisture originating from the Pacific Ocean. These systems can bring as much water as that flowing through the mouth of the Mississippi River. Some areas have already received over 16 inches of rain, leading to major highway closures and rivers overflowing their banks.

In addition to Washington, heavy rain is also forecasted for British Columbia. Yellow rainfall warnings have been issued in Vancouver, while orange warnings are in effect for certain regional highways that may become impassable due to flooding, as reported by Environment and Climate Change Canada.

Robinson Cook noted that the situation could worsen if snow falls at higher elevations and combines with the rain, creating additional meltwater that heightens the flood threat. Each storm is expected to impact different areas, with the second system likely to affect Oregon and the third moving further south into California.

“There is going to be quite a bit of rain,” he emphasized.

Top photo: Water from the Snohomish River partially submerges homes in Snohomish, Washington on Dec. 12. Bloomberg.

Copyright 2025 Bloomberg.

Topics
Flood