Monroe, Washington— A powerful atmospheric river is strengthening across the Northwest and is expected to bring more heavy rain and potential flash flooding, as well as several feet of mountain snow to Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana.
As of Thursday afternoon, more than 87,000 customers were without power in Washington and Idaho as strong winds battered the region.
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A tree fell in Monroe, Washington, killing one person inside a vehicle Wednesday night, Snohomish Area Fire Rescue said.
Wind gusts in Snohomish County continued to reach 25 mph Wednesday night, according to the Fox Forecast Center.
Rainwater from atmospheric rivers has begun to saturate Washington’s soil as the storm series moves inshore and continues to intensify on Tuesday.
The flash flooding risk for coastal areas of Washington and Oregon, including Portland, is Level 1 out of 4 Thursday afternoon, with urban flooding possible in poorly drained areas of the region and rainfall rates of 2 to 3 inches per hour.
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As of Friday, flood warnings were in effect for much of the same area. Widespread rainfall amounts of 3 to 5 inches are expected through Saturday, with localized amounts of 5 to 8 inches possible.
The Fox Forecast Center said some rivers in western Washington are expected to reach moderate flooding levels by the weekend.
FILE – STANWOOD, WA – DECEMBER 6: Floodwaters surround a home in Stanwood, Washington, from an aerial view on December 6, 2023. Atmospheric river conditions in the region bring heavy rains and flooding.
(Getty Images)
Meanwhile, winter weather warnings have been issued across the Cascade Mountains, including a blizzard warning due to high winds and heavy snow, making travel through the passes dangerous, especially in parts of the Interstate 90 corridor.
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Wind gusts in excess of 40 mph are expected, with total snow depth of 2 to 4 feet on higher mountain peaks.
A winter storm warning is also in effect through Saturday for the Northern Rockies of Idaho and Montana.
The West Coast is no stranger to the atmospheric rivers that cause headaches in the Pacific Northwest, often bringing widespread torrential rains to the region.
FILE: PACIFIC WASHINGTON – DECEMBER 16: An aerial view of the Pacific Ocean in Washington shows a neighborhood engulfed by floodwaters on December 16, 2025. Evacuations have been ordered in three suburbs south of Seattle following recent levee breaches.
In December, a powerful atmospheric river caused historically dangerous flooding in Washington state, engulfing homes and inundating entire towns.
12/25: Federal state of emergency declared after historic swamp flooding in Washington state
The deadly flooding event caused multiple levee failures in different parts of Washington, prompting a federal state of emergency across the state that will last until 2025.
Original source of the article: Atmospheric river sweeps across northwest, killing at least one person and leaving more than 87,000 people without power
