Oregonians from Astoria to Oakridge should brace for “widespread and heavy rain” in the coming days that has prompted flood warnings across state’s northwest corner.
Atmospheric rivers poised to hit Oregon and southwest Washington could, in the worst case scenario, trigger “moderate to major flooding” and increase the risk for landslides, the National Weather Service says. The agency has issued a flood watch starting on Monday and ending Thursday.
Sunday’s rain should be comparatively light before the first “major surge of moisture” hits on Monday, the weather service says. Forecasters expect up to a 1/4 of an inch in the Portland area and an inch or two in the mountains. The day could be breezy with southwest wind gusts up to 25 miles per hour in Portland and a high temperature around 56 degrees.
Forecasters expect the first atmospheric river to hit on Monday, which could bring more than two inches of rain to the Portland and Vancouver areas by Tuesday morning and up to four inches along the coast.
A second atmospheric river will dump on the Portland area beginning Tuesday and linger longer than the first. Forecasters say Portland is likely to receive up to 5 inches of rain by Thursday morning. Tillamook could see more than 8 inches of rain, forecasters say, and the coastal range could get nearly 12.
The heavy rain could trigger river floods and landslides on steep slopes.
"People, structures, and roads located below steep slopes, in canyons, and near the mouths of canyons may be at serious risk from rapidly moving landslides," the weather service warns.
Meanwhile, wind.
Monday is expected to be the windiest day of the week and gusts could hit 30 miles per hour inland and 40 miles per hour on the coast. Winds could hit 50 miles per hour in some coastal and mountain areas, potentially damaging trees and power lines, especially since the sodden ground will make tree roots less stable.
Tuesday and Wednesday will be gusty as well, forecasters say, though less severe.
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