Modest, atmospheric river flowing toward Snohomish County

EVERETT – A modest atmospheric river will hit Snohomish County this week, bringing heavy rain and snow to higher elevations.

Atmospheric rivers are narrow strips of the atmosphere that carry large amounts of water vapor from the tropics. When the transported vapor hits land, the river often releases rain or snow.

“It looks like this source of moisture is a little north of Hawaii,” said National Weather Service forecaster Dustin Guy. “Atmospheric river will move moisture to the Pacific Northwest this week.”

The chance of precipitation is 90% Tuesday morning, rising to 100% in the evening, with up to half an inch possible in the Everett area.

The chance of rain remains high through Thursday.

Looking ahead to next week, “we may be talking about atmospheric rivers over the holidays,” Guy said.

Meteorologists do not expect any local river flooding from rain this week.

A winter weather advisory for the Cascades, including Index, Darrington and Stevens Pass, should also be in effect from 4 a.m. Tuesday through 4 a.m. Wednesday. The forecast shows 5 to 10 inches of snow possible above 2,500 feet and wind gusts up to 35 mph possible.

Eliza Aronson: 425-339-3434; [email protected]; X: @ElizaAronson. Eliza’s stories are supported by the Herald’s Environmental and Climate Reporting Fund.