Storms to bring heavy rain, wind this week

A strong storm system is expected to dump several inches of rain on much of Washington and Oregon starting Tuesday, on the heels of another system that soaked the Northwest on Monday.

Vancouver won’t see the worst of it, but the city could still rack up 2 to 4 inches of rainfall by Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service. Forecasters also warned that local rivers and streams could rise quickly in the next week, and standing water is possible in some urban areas. Wind gusts in Vancouver could top 35 mph at times Tuesday.

Other areas could be harder hit by Tuesday’s turbulent conditions.

Oregon’s Coast Range may see the highest rainfall totals this week, totaling 5 to 10 inches from Monday through Wednesday, according to the weather service. The Washington and Oregon Cascade Range foothills could record 4 to 6 inches of rain during that time.

The Southwest Washington coast will feel it, too. Consider this Tuesday forecast for Ocean Park, on the Long Beach Peninsula: Up to three inches of rain, with wind gusts up to 70 mph.

The National Weather Service’s forecast map of Oregon and Southwest Washington showed a colorful array of advisories and warnings Monday. Those include a wind advisory for Southwest Washington and Oregon’s Willamette Valley, a flood watch for coastal mountain areas, a high wind warning for both states’ coastlines, and an avalanche warning for the Washington and Oregon Cascades. Heavy snow is expected to pile up in higher elevations this week.

Blustery conditions should calm down by Wednesday, but the rain won’t go away soon. The forecast in Vancouver calls for continued rain at least through this Sunday.

In other words, expect a wet Thanksgiving Day.

Eric Florip: 360-735-4541; http://twitter.com/col_enviro; eric.florip@columbian.com.