By Rod Hill on 2014-02-15
Saturday afternoon update: Metro rain totals could exceed .75" through early evening. Rain will break into showers tonight.
Total rainfall Sunday - Monday noon: 1.25 - 1.75" possible
Tuesday: Rainfall may exceed .50".
The threat of heavy rainfall will end Tuesday evening. The forecast the rest of the week calls for scattered precipitation.
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Steady rainfall ends for now, but will return Saturday. Heaviest weekend rain will fall Sunday evening and night. The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch from the coast to the Cascades. Large rivers such as the Willamette and Clackamas are expected to rise 3-5 feet through Monday, but remain below flood stage. The Willamette river at Salem will likely rise to near bankfull Sunday night, while the Willamette at Portland is forecast to raise to near 11 feet, well below the flood stage of 18 feet. Smaller streams draining out of the Coast Range should be watched closely. Current projections show the Wilson River at Tillamook to rise within 2 feet of flood stage. Please be alert for areas of high water, especially Saturday & Sunday nights.
Satellite photos shows a stream of moisture aimed at the Northwest. Combined Portland rainfall from last night through this coming Monday morning could reach 2-3.00 inches, which would be the heaviest rain since more than 3 inches fell the last three days of September!
Possible rain totals including last night through this coming Monday could reach 2-4 inches at the coast, 4-6" over the Coast Range, 2-3 inches across the metro valley and 4-7 inches over the Cascades.
Current forecast models show long enough dry breaks between periods of steady rain to reduce the risk of any widespread flooding. However, motorist should be aware of likely high water spots, especially at night and small streams should be closely watched.
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