Western Washington residents have this weekend to prepare for what forecasters are calling one of the strongest atmospheric river storms in years. The “Godzilla atmospheric river” system, as meteorologist Cliff Mass calls it, may bring major flooding, landslide dangers, and a month’s worth of rain compressed into just days, with the worst conditions arriving Tuesday.
The Pacific Northwest is bracing for one of the most powerful atmospheric river storms in recent memory, with forecasters now predicting a Category 5 event that could bring widespread flooding and dangerous landslides to Western Washington next week.
“It’s definitely going to be a strong storm,” meteorologist Scott Sistek told Seattle’s Morning News on KIRO Newsradio Friday morning. “It’s definitely going to be one of the stronger ones we’ve seen in recent years, but it’s not going to be a record. It’s definitely one to be ready for.”
Category 5 rating signals serious danger
The Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes, which tracks atmospheric river systems, has upgraded its forecast to Category 5, the highest level on its scale…