The latest satellite imagery is stunning....and concerning. A huge plume of water vapor, extending thousands of miles to the southwest, is about to hit our region, resulting in massive rainfall and localized flooding.
Consider the water vapor imagery late this afternoon (below). Green and yellow are the highest values,
Look at a wider view, and you can see this atmospheric river of moisture extends many thousands of miles to the southwest.
We are now close enough in time to the event, and forecast models are similar enough, that we can have great confidence in the forecasts.
The forecast totals through Wednesday morning are stunning, with over ten inches over the Cascades and coastal mountains. Some locations in SW Washington and NW Oregon will receive 15 inches.
Very concerning.
But it doesn't end there. The next 24 hours will bring even more, particularly over the southern Cascades. Major rivers in SW Washington (e.g., the Cowlitz) are going to flood.
TEN Rivers are predicted to go into major flood, up from two predicted a few days ago.
Stunning.
I am more than surprised that the National Weather Service does not have flood warnings out of drainages in the central and southern Cascades (see below). They should.
I am shocked as well that the national weather service hasn't issued these warnings as well. Especially with the models pretty much all supporting a major flood event for many of those areas. Thank you Cliff for all that you do.
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