NW Oregon-SW Washington Storm System: High Winds & Rain Are Coming

The National Weather Service says we have a wet & wild time ahead.

Photo by Bonnie King, Salem-News.com

(SALEM, Ore.) - A vigorous storm system will give ample rainfall and windy conditions to southwest Washington and Northwest Oregon today and Tuesday, with cool night time low temperatures later this week.

A storm off the Oregon coast this morning will produce gales over the coastal waters this afternoon and evening, as well as wind gusts to near 60 mph along the beaches and headlands, and 45 to 50 mph in coastal communities.

Winds in the inland valleys may gust to 30 or 35 mph late today and this evening. These speeds may be enough to again cause some tree damage and power disruptions in southwest Washington and Northwest Oregon.

This system will also have ample moisture feeding it. Computer models indicate from 1.5 to nearly 3 inches of rain are possible over the mountains and near the coast today through Tuesday.

Valley totals could be close to one inch. Leaves clogging storm drains may lead to ponding of water and localized urban flooding.

A surface low of around 1000 MB is expected to move into Northwest Washington late today and this evening and produce the winds.

And associated cold front will spread increasing rain into the area during rthe day today followed by an occluded front that will wrap around the North and West sides of the low and move in from the North across Southwest Washington and Northwest Oregon for another batch of substantial rains later tonight and Tuesday.

Drier, cooler weather with breezy East winds will spread in for the second half of the week. Night time low temperatures may fall into the 20's in wind sheltered areas during the second half of the week, possibly the coldest of the Fall season so far.

Source: National Weather Service