Brace yourselves, Portlanders, for a run of classic Pacific Northwest winter weather as the National Weather Service has released an alert ushering in a series of frontal systems expected to saturate the area through next week. As of Friday morning, residents woke to heavy, moisture-laden skies with showers leading to rain prevailing between 7am and 1pm and temperature highs near 56 degrees — the humidity clinging at a high 93%.
The weather forecast anticipates continuous showers with the likelihood of rain reaching 80-100% chance over the coming days and the National Weather Service has issued a hydrologic outlook for southwest Washington and northwest Oregon anticipating heavy rain from December 8-10, conditions are set to worsen late Monday through Wednesday as an atmospheric river could potentially pour significant rainfall over the region causing rivers to swell and heightening the risk of urban flooding. Residents should prepare for potential flooding along small creeks and streams particularly those draining the Coast Range and Willapa Hills.
In the city, showers are to persist with tonight’s low at around 48 degrees and a non-stop procession of rain to blanket the area well into the next week; day after day, the forecast shows highs hovering in the mid-50s and the rain showing no signs of relenting. Those venturing outside will face gusty south southwest winds which could whip up to as much as 26 mph in the coming days.
Alongside the downpour, concerns have been raised regarding area rivers, with a "10-25% chance of reaching moderate flood stage and a 8-15% chance of reaching major flood stage," particularly for rivers flowing from the Coast Range and Willapa Hills, while the Willamette mainstem rivers face a less than 10% flooding likelihood, according to the National Weather Service, Portland office. With this hydrologic outlook, those in regions of steep terrain are also cautioned on the increased risk of landslides and debris flows, particularly over areas freshly scarred by fire.
While the city settles into the embrace of grey skies and the patter of persistent rainfall, the importance of staying informed on weather developments and preparing for potential floods can't be understated; keep an eye on updates from the National Weather Service and the National Water Prediction Service website to stay ahead of the deluge.
