An atmospheric river phenomenon has been lashing the Pacific Northwest with rain and the threat of flooding is far from over.
Over the past two days, 2 to 4 inches of rain fell at lower elevations and 4 a 10 Inches were recorded at higher elevations in western Washington and Oregon.
An atmospheric river brings rain and flooding to the Pacific Northwest, in Fall City, Washington, on December 9, 2025.
David Ryder/Reuters
On Wednesday, rain will be concentrated in Washington, the hardest hit state, inundating the state with near-constant rainfall. Four to 8 inches are forecast at higher elevations and 2 to 4 inches at lower elevations.
Record flooding is forecast for some rivers, especially the Skagit River at Mount Vernon and Concrete, Washington, which could rise 3 to 5 feet above record levels.
Rain will continue in Washington on Thursday, but will be much lighter. However, the dikes will be questioned starting Thursday afternoon.
An atmospheric river brings rain and flooding to the Pacific Northwest, in Fall City, Washington, on December 9, 2025.
David Ryder/Reuters
Central and northern Idaho will also receive heavy rain on Wednesday and Thursday, which may cause flooding.
Meanwhile, more winter storms are on the way for the Midwest and Northeast.
A storm that dumped snow on Minneapolis and Green Bay, Wisconsin, on Tuesday will move through the Great Lakes and the Northeast on Wednesday, bringing snow to higher elevations and rain to lower elevations. Three to six inches of snow is forecast in some areas of upstate New York and northwestern Pennsylvania.
The next winter storm will move into the Midwest on Wednesday night and bring 3 to 6 inches of snow from Iowa to Kentucky on Thursday.
