Residents in southeast Alaska, western British Columbia and western Washington should remain vigilant for rounds of heavy rain early this week, which will increase the risk of flooding and avalanches.
AccuWeather senior meteorologist Adam Douty said some of the heaviest rainfall will reach the Olympic Peninsula and the northern Cascade Mountains, with smaller amounts falling in Seattle, but the biggest impacts are expected to be in western British Columbia and southeastern Alaska.
A long-lasting atmospheric river event will introduce a stream of moisture into the region, with widespread rainfall of 4-8 inches expected along British Columbia’s coast late Saturday night into Tuesday.
“In Juneau, Alaska, we could see 4 to 6 inches of rain in the middle of next week,” AccuWeather senior meteorologist Dan Pydynowski said. To put that amount in perspective, the city typically gets about 6 inches of precipitation throughout January.
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From December 1 to January 10, Juneau received 94.8 inches of snowfall, nearly four times the historical average snowfall of 24.4 inches.
“The combination of this heavy rainfall and temperatures rising into the 40s will cause dangerous melting of the snowpack,” Pidinowski said. “There will be a risk of flooding and avalanches, especially in the east end of the city, along the mountains and slopes that back Juneau.”
Snow levels will remain relatively high throughout the event, causing snowmelt that will further increase runoff and increase the threat of avalanches, landslides and debris flows.
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Need to rest on the way
The storm will be followed by a much-needed dry spell late next week.
“Over next week and into the third week of January, high pressure will move in from the eastern Pacific and over the interior West at times, giving the West Coast a break from heavy rain, flooding and landslides,” AccuWeather Chief Long Range Specialist Paul Pastelok said.
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During the upcoming period of calmer weather, temperatures will typically be 5-10 degrees above historical averages.
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