A series of storms moving across the western United States as 2024 comes to a close will bring an increased risk of flash flooding, strong winds, and snowfall that could disrupt travel from Northern California to Washington, according to AccuWeather forecasters. The ongoing wet weather pattern, which began earlier in the month, has seen storms hitting the region every 24 to 72 hours, bringing rain and snow to higher elevations. Recent storms caused rough seas, leading to a section of the Santa Cruz Wharf in California collapsing into the ocean due to high waves. More stormy weather is forecast to hit the area, potentially causing further damage and travel delays during a busy time of year.
AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Tyler Roys warned that some of the most impactful storms are expected to strike in the latter part of the week. Rainfall totals of 4-8 inches are possible along the coast from northwestern California to Washington’s Olympic Peninsula through Friday, with the potential for up to 16 inches in certain areas. With the ground already saturated from previous storms, the additional rainfall raises the risk of flooding and mudslides, particularly in burn scar areas and near rivers flowing out of the Cascades.
The Interstate 5 corridor from Seattle to Portland and Medford, Oregon, can anticipate heavy rain in two waves, with the heaviest expected on Wednesday night into Thursday morning and again on Thursday night into Friday morning. Strong wind gusts, reaching up to 80 mph along the coast from northwestern California to western Washington, combined with heavy rain and saturated ground, could lead to power outages and fallen trees.
Snow levels in the Cascades and northern Rockies will fluctuate with each storm, resulting in accumulations on mountain passes in Oregon and Washington and possible closures for passes like Scott Mountain Summit, Snoqualmie, and Stevens. Avalanche risks will be heightened due to varying freezing levels and water-saturated snowpacks. The stormy weather is expected to persist into the weekend, with rising temperatures leading to snowmelt and increased flood risks at intermediate elevations.
AccuWeather Meteorologist Brandon Buckingham emphasized the continued threat of storms through the start of 2025, with the potential for more snow, rain, and flooding across the region.
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