Atmospheric River Across Oregon, Washington - Chances of Flooding Seattle to Eugene

Published 12/07/25 at 7:55 a.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Eugene, Oregon) - [UPDATE: Wind advisories in many areas of coast, Gorge, Portland, Pendleton. WORST OF WINDS AND RAIN EXPECTED TONIGHT. Power outages may occur because of saturated ground causing trees to fall, but by and large just an extra-long, wet annoyance. ]

--- From Seattle down to Portland and Eugene, and from the Cascades to the coastlines of Oregon and Washington, an atmospheric river is going to bring an extended period of wet, soggy conditions. It's expected to last all week. (Photo courtesy Lincoln County Sheriff's - file photo from a past incident near Otis)

Talk about raining on your parade: the Space Weather Prediction Center is also predicting some heavy solar wind activity, which may well result in aurora borealis sightings as far south as Oregon on Tuesday. It's doubtful anyone gets to see that.

The National Weather Service (NWS) offices in Seattle, Portland and Medford have all issued similar statements about the coming soaker. A flood watch is in effect from Sunday through late Thursday for much of the Pacific Northwest, including all of western Washington and most of western Oregon. River and urban flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible. Landslides may occur in areas of steep terrain, and debris flows are possible over recently burned ground.

In Oregon, the watch covers Clatsop, Columbia, Tillamook, Washington, Multnomah, Hood River, Yamhill, Clackamas, Polk, Marion, Lincoln, Benton, Linn, and Lane counties. In Washington, it includes Pacific, King, Wahkiakum, Cowlitz, Skamania, and Clark counties.

The heaviest rains happen Sunday through Wednesday, with lighter amounts on Thursday. Rivers draining the coastal mountains and several Willamette tributaries have the highest chance of flooding, estimated at 40 to 80 percent. Flooding along the Willamette mainstem remains unlikely, with chances around 10 percent. See all Oregon Inland Weather

"Rainfall amounts up to 10" are possible within the Olympics, Cascades, and coastal ranges," the NWS said.

Courtesy NWS

Widespread impacts are not expected through Sunday, the NWS said. However, if rainfall rates hold steady around 0.2 to 0.3 inches per hour for several hours, smaller and more responsive basins in Washington State - such as the Grays at Rosburg and the Willapa River - could rise quickly. Inland gusts will generally be in the 30 - 40 mph range, strongest along exposed coastal areas and higher terrain. This system sets the stage for a more active stretch in the days ahead, when several inches of rain may fall across northwest Oregon and southwest Washington, raising the risk of both river flooding and localized urban flooding.

Rivers are most likely to rise in the Washington Cascades, the NWS said.

Beach Towns

Photo USCG - file photo from a past incident at Neskowin

Sizably high seas are likely coming to the Oregon and Washington coast, which could spell more dangers on the beaches. However, weather will be gnarly enough you'll likely want to stick to watching the show from a hotel room.

“There is a 70% chance for stronger Gale Force winds to materialize across the waters Monday,” the NWS said. “This will push seas into the mid teens Monday afternoon with a 10-20% chance of seas climbing to at least 17-18 by 4pm Monday.”

Seas stand a far less chance of getting really high later in the week, in spite of otherwise stormy conditions.

Southern Oregon and Coast

This persistent storm track will bring periods of rain to Coos and Douglas counties Sunday through Wednesday, with the heaviest rainfall expected Monday night into Wednesday. Impact may not be as harsh as farther north.

Totals of 2 to 4 inches are likely, especially across northern Coos and Douglas near the Lane County border, while lesser amounts fall south of Roseburg. Rivers remain unusually low for this time of year, and flooding is not forecast. Still, water levels could rise quickly midweek, the NWS said, and those in areas such as Reedsport, Bandon or Medford should keep an eye on weather reports. See Oregon Coast Weather

Aurora Chances

Meanwhile, above it all there is predicted to be some amount of northern lights activity, with a geomagnetic storm category G3 predicted sometime Tuesday.

“Aurora may be seen as low as Pennsylvania to Iowa to Oregon,” the SWPC said.

Timing is as yet unclear.

For full weather forecasts as well as wave forecasts for each area:

Washington Coast Weather

Astoria / Warrenton Weather
Seaside Weather
Cannon Beach
Manzanita Weather / Waves
Nehalem Bay / Wheeler
Rockaway Beach Waves, Weather
Oceanside/Tillamook
Pacific City Weather, Waves
Lincoln City Waves, Weather
Depoe Bay Weather
Newport Waves, Weather
Yachats
Florence
Coos Bay - North Bend - Charleston
Bandon Weather
Port Orford Weather
Gold Beach Weather
Brookings Weather

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