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Heavy Rain Returns to Deluge Pacific Northwest
December 15, 2025 at 05:33 AM EST
By WeatherBug Meteorologist, Keegan Miller
While the Pacific Northwest is still damp from the effect of last week's record-breaking atmospheric river, a secondary flow of high moisture will realign across the region through much of the workweek.
The first major squeeze of rain is ongoing in Washington and Oregon, and as the week moves forward, another great push from the atmospheric river is expected on Thursday and Friday, with the greatest impacts in western Oregon and northern California.
In the near term, however, rain totals through Tuesday are expected to reach 0.5 to 2 inches between the coastal ranges and the Cascades, as well as the mid-elevations of mountains in northern Idaho and central and eastern Washington. For the coastline, the coastal ranges, and the Cascades, rain totals of 2 to 5 inches will be common.
With the Pacific Northwest under a ridge of high pressure, snow levels will be higher than normal both today, similar to last week's deluge. As that ridge is shoved eastward, however, snow levels will drop in the Cascades and northern Rockies, mainly overnight into Tuesday. As such, snow totals today will be mostly meager, but additions through Tuesday will generally pile quickly. Two to 6 inches are expected in the northern Rockies and Cascade mid-elevations, with 6 to 10 inches along most of the Cascade ridgelines and upside for well over a foot for the tallest peaks.
High winds are also expected to slam through the Northwest in the coming days, especially for the higher elevations, where some areas are expecting gusts of 50 to 60 mph or higher alongside 25 to 45 mph sustained winds!
Currently, Flood Watches are posted for portions of eastern and central Washington, northern Idaho, and far northwestern Montana, with Winter Storm Watches also posted for higher elevations of the Olympic Peninsula, Washington's Cascades, and a portion of northwestern Montana.
Additionally, High Wind Watches and Wind Advisories cover much of Washington, Oregon's Cascades and and northwestern coastline, northern Idaho, and northwestern Montana.
Although this atmospheric river is expected to be weaker than its predecessor, its impacts will still be widespread. River and flash flooding is possible through the day today, with major concerns for rockslides and mudslides from already saturated and unstable landscapes. Gusty winds could down trees and powerlines, and mountain passes along the Cascades will not be navigable at times in low visibility and winds gusts of 30 to 50 mph. These conditions could pair with significant snow totals in the higher mountain passes, especially later in the week as snow levels drop in elevation.
Be sure to download the WeatherBug app to stay up to date on the latest on this changing weather. It’s never too early to have a supply kit packed in case of inclement weather. A simple kit including a weather radio, water, blankets, batteries, and non-perishable food items will go a long way in the event of a power outage.
The first major squeeze of rain is ongoing in Washington and Oregon, and as the week moves forward, another great push from the atmospheric river is expected on Thursday and Friday, with the greatest impacts in western Oregon and northern California.
In the near term, however, rain totals through Tuesday are expected to reach 0.5 to 2 inches between the coastal ranges and the Cascades, as well as the mid-elevations of mountains in northern Idaho and central and eastern Washington. For the coastline, the coastal ranges, and the Cascades, rain totals of 2 to 5 inches will be common.
With the Pacific Northwest under a ridge of high pressure, snow levels will be higher than normal both today, similar to last week's deluge. As that ridge is shoved eastward, however, snow levels will drop in the Cascades and northern Rockies, mainly overnight into Tuesday. As such, snow totals today will be mostly meager, but additions through Tuesday will generally pile quickly. Two to 6 inches are expected in the northern Rockies and Cascade mid-elevations, with 6 to 10 inches along most of the Cascade ridgelines and upside for well over a foot for the tallest peaks.
High winds are also expected to slam through the Northwest in the coming days, especially for the higher elevations, where some areas are expecting gusts of 50 to 60 mph or higher alongside 25 to 45 mph sustained winds!
Currently, Flood Watches are posted for portions of eastern and central Washington, northern Idaho, and far northwestern Montana, with Winter Storm Watches also posted for higher elevations of the Olympic Peninsula, Washington's Cascades, and a portion of northwestern Montana.
Additionally, High Wind Watches and Wind Advisories cover much of Washington, Oregon's Cascades and and northwestern coastline, northern Idaho, and northwestern Montana.
Although this atmospheric river is expected to be weaker than its predecessor, its impacts will still be widespread. River and flash flooding is possible through the day today, with major concerns for rockslides and mudslides from already saturated and unstable landscapes. Gusty winds could down trees and powerlines, and mountain passes along the Cascades will not be navigable at times in low visibility and winds gusts of 30 to 50 mph. These conditions could pair with significant snow totals in the higher mountain passes, especially later in the week as snow levels drop in elevation.
Be sure to download the WeatherBug app to stay up to date on the latest on this changing weather. It’s never too early to have a supply kit packed in case of inclement weather. A simple kit including a weather radio, water, blankets, batteries, and non-perishable food items will go a long way in the event of a power outage.