Rain last 24 hours: .11"

Departure from Normal: + .36"

Rainfall since October 1st (water year): 1.96" Departure from Normal: +.36"

A Soaking, windy weekend on tap

Moderate rainfall is already widespread across the region on this Saturday morning (10/21/17). Rain is expected to be heavy at times through the midday Sunday. Storm totals could add up to well over 2" in the Valley, while the SW WA, the Coast Range and Cascade Foothills could see even more, possibly up to 8" in some spots.

Wind has picked up at the Central Oregon coast, with gusts at Newport before dawn around 40 mph. Expect stronger wind conditions continuing in the Central and Northern Coast as well as the Long Beach Peninsula, Willapa Hills and the Coast Range through the afternoon. A High Wind Warning is in effect through at least early Sunday morning for most of those areas.

A Wind Advisory is in place for the Willamette Valley and parts of Central and Eastern Oregon (including Madras, Bend and Pendleton among others), also through Sunday morning.

Snow levels are climbing in the Cascades, but there is still snow this morning at pass level, especially over Willamette and Santiam Passes. Be aware of the changing road conditions. Wind will be a problem later this afternoon through the Coast Range, Cascades and mountains of Eastern Oregon, like the Blues.

A Flash Flood Watch is in effect for most of Western WA, OR Cascades and Foothills, and the Columbia River Gorge. Of particular concern and focus is the possibility of landslides or debris flows over the burn scar areas of the Eagle Creek Fire.

A warm front is moving onshore this morning with a conveyor belt of moisture pushing into the region. Combined with a strong jet stream, we'll get the delivery of heavy rain and wind with this system today. It lifts northward into Western WA tonight. Heavy rain will continue through the Willapa Hills and SW WA. Especially NE Clark County and Skamania County. The cold front drops southward late tonight into early tomorrow morning, delivering another round of heavy rain to the Metro area through about midday Sunday.

High pressure builds in quickly for drier conditions most of the coming week.

Today - Heavy rain and wind - 59

Tonight - Rain, windy overnight - 56

Sunday - Heavy rain, wind to start, turning to showers and calmer - 64

Monday - AM Fog, PM Sun - 65

Meteorologist Mary Loos