SEATTLE, WASHINGTON — The Pacific Northwest is in for a stormy week, with one Pacific storm after another moving onshore. The stretch starts with strong winds, including gusts up to 60 mph along the coast. An atmospheric river then arrives Tuesday night, November 10, aimed at Vancouver Island and northwest Washington. Rainfall forecasts through Saturday, November 14 show parts of the Olympic Peninsula getting 12 to 14 inches of rain. Seattle could pick up 2 to 3 inches, and Astoria, Oregon could see 4 to 6 inches. River flooding is not expected for now, but soils are soaking up the water, which raises concerns if the wet pattern continues.
Rain Totals Across the Northwest
Forecast rainfall through Saturday, November 14:
- Olympic Peninsula: 12 to 14 inches, the wettest spot in the region
- Astoria, Oregon: 4 to 6 inches
- Seattle: 2 to 3 inches
- Portland: 1 to 2 inches
- Eugene: 1 to 2 inches
- Eureka, California: 1 to 2 inches
- Spokane: under 1 inch
The heaviest totals, in purple and pink on the forecast map, are along the Olympic Mountains, the Washington coast and northwest Oregon. Totals drop off sharply east of the Cascades.
Why the Olympic Peninsula Gets So Much Rain
The Olympic Peninsula is one of the wettest places in the continental United States. When moist air from the Pacific Ocean hits the Olympic Mountains, it is forced upward. As it rises, the air cools and squeezes out heavy rain.
Towns and areas that could see some of the highest totals include:
- Forks and the Hoh Rain Forest
- Neah Bay and Clallam Bay
- Quinault and the southwest Olympics
- The western slopes of the Olympic Mountains
Atmospheric River Aimed at Vancouver Island
An atmospheric river is a long, narrow band of deep moisture that flows from the tropical Pacific. When one reaches the coast, it can bring heavy rain for many hours.
This one is expected to arrive Tuesday night, aimed mainly at Vancouver Island in British Columbia and northwest Washington. Its exact landing spot will decide how much rain falls in Seattle and the Puget Sound region.
Strong Coastal Winds
The first storm in the series brings gusts up to 60 mph along beaches and headlands, from the Washington coast south to Oregon. Winds this strong can:
- Knock down trees and power lines
- Cause power outages
- Push high surf and dangerous waves onto beaches
- Make driving difficult on U.S. Highway 101
Beachgoers should stay off jetties and away from the water’s edge, where sneaker waves can surge far up the sand.
River Flooding Not Expected Yet
Even with heavy rain, river flooding is not expected right now. Many rivers are starting the week at lower fall levels, and the ground has room to absorb some water…