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Prolonged stormy streak returning to Pacific Northwest

Truckers to face potential flooding, whiteout conditions

(Photo: Caltrans)

Truckers will soon face another long-duration stormy pattern across the Pacific Northwest and southwestern Canada.


Related: Landslides close California highway


The result will be potential moderate disruptions to freight flows, business operations and supply chain networks across the region, or even localized severe disruptions, due to frequent heavy rain, strong winds and mountain snow.

The impacts will likely be less significant compared to last month’s extended stormy pattern. However, this outlook could change and drivers shouldn’t let their guards down. The main impact zone includes parts of eastern and northern California, as well as western portions of Oregon, Washington and British Columbia, Canada.


This series of storm systems will begin to move into the region starting later Wednesday and continuing into early next week. Based on the initial forecast, the frequency and intensity of this prolonged event will produce up to 8 inches of rain in some places, leading to possible flooding and landslides.

Higher-elevation snowfall totals will range from 12 to 24 inches in the Cascades and northern Sierra Nevada. Pockets of higher amounts are possible.

Wind gusts will hit 40 to 50 mph, with isolated gusts of 60-plus mph. The strongest winds will be along the coast and in the mountain passes.

Besides issues on the roads, these storms may also disrupt air cargo, as well as operations at intermodal ramps and ports.


Major lanes of concern

• Interstate 5 from Redding, California, to Seattle.
• Interstate 80 from Truckee to Alta, California.
• Interstate 84 from Portland to Moser, Oregon.
• Interstate 90 from Seattle to Thorp, Washington.
• U.S. Highway 101 from Laytonville, California, to the Olympic Peninsula.
• Trans-Canada Highway from Vancouver to Skihist Provincial Park.

Click here for more FreightWaves articles by Nick Austin.

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Nick Austin

Nick is a meteorologist with 20 years of forecasting and broadcasting experience. He was nominated for a Midsouth Emmy for his coverage during a 2008 western Tennessee tornado outbreak. He received his Bachelor of Science in Meteorology from Florida State University, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Management from the Georgia Tech. Nick is a member of the American Meteorological Society and National Weather Association. As a member of the weather team at WBBJ-TV in Jackson, Tennessee, Nick was nominated for a Mid-South Emmy for live coverage of a major tornado outbreak in February 2008. As part of the weather team at WRCB-TV in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Nick shared the Chattanooga Times-Free Press Best of the Best award for “Best Weather Team” eight consecutive years.