Series of Storms to Slam Pacific Northwest US This Week

By Renee Duff, AccuWeather.com Meteorologist

November 29,2015; 9:08PM,EST

 

December will begin with a roar across the Northwest as rounds of rain, mountain snow and even ice are in store for late this week.
Rounds of storms are poised to impact Washington, Oregon and California with rain beginning on Monday and continuing off and on through Friday.

Snow and ice are also possible across central portions of Washington and Oregon during the middle part of the week.
This stormy pattern follows a week-long dry stretch for much of the area.
On Monday, the first of three storms will work its way into the coast, bringing light rain from Seattle to Redding, California.
While the morning commute looks dry, anyone returning home from work later in the day could encounter wet roads.
The lack of moisture with this system will inhibit rain from advancing far inland. Eastern Oregon and Washington are expected to remain dry on Monday.
After a quick reprieve, steadier rain will develop on Tuesday evening as the next system pushes into the coast.
This storm will be stronger and have more moisture associated with it compared to the first storm.
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Steady rain is expected from Seattle to Medford, Oregon, throughout the night on Tuesday.
Moisture will reach farther inland with this system, increasing the concern for snow and ice in the coldest areas.
"There is an increasing threat for significant freezing rain and sleet throughout the Columbia River Valley into the Blue Mountains of interior Oregon and Washington on Tuesday night," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Michael LeSeney said.
In addition, snow showers are likely across the highest elevations. Only minor accumulations are expected.
The next storm will barrel into the Northwest on Wednesday evening.

This system will dig much farther to the south, bringing heavy rain from Seattle to San Francisco.
Accumulating snow is also possible in the Sierra Nevada, Cascades and northern Rockies late on Thursday into Friday.
Any snow or rain that falls this week will help to put a minor dent in the drought that has plagued the West Coast.
The stormy pattern is forecast to continue into the weekend.