Storm train to keep rolling through northwestern US with rain, snow and wind

By Renee Duff, AccuWeather meteorologist

December 16, 2018, 11:19:46 AM EST

Rain, wind, mountain snow and rough surf will lash the Northwest and California through Sunday night as the barrage of Pacific storms continues.

The region had little time to gather itself after gusty winds from a storm late Friday caused tree damage and power outages in western Washington.

Over 100,000 people were without power for a time on Friday night, including nearly 50,000 in the Seattle metro area.

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CLALLAM CLOSURE Here is a photo of the downed trees on SR 112 (at MP 30 near Pillar Point Park) - find alternate routes. The road will be closed from approx mp 30 to mp 52 indefinitely. Look to @wsdot and @wsdot_tacoma for updates on the road reopening.

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More storms are lining up across the northern Pacific Ocean with their sights set on the Pacific Northwest.

"Storms will arrive approximately every 24 to 36 hours through Thursday," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski said.

“One of the bigger storms in the train will hit through Sunday night,” Sosnowski added.

Winds will not be as strong when compared to Friday’s storm, but coastal areas of Washington and Oregon could still experience gusts up to 60 mph, which can lead to isolated power outages and travel difficulties for high-profile vehicles.

"Another area of gusty winds is also expected to develop along the stretch of Interstate 5 in far Northern California on Sunday," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Kristina Pydynowski said. 

Any tree limbs that have been weakened by recent rain and wind events may be more susceptible to breaking.

In terms of precipitation, rainfall is expected to stay under 1 inch for places like Seattle and Portland, Oregon.

Snow levels will be high enough to limit concerns of slippery travel over the major passes in the Cascades.

The risk of rainfall heavy enough to heighten flood concerns and slippery, snowy travel will increase farther south.

This system will extend farther south than the storms this past week with rain and mountain snow getting into Central California, according to AccuWeather Senior Meteor free ologist Jack Boston.

Rainfall totals of 1-3 inches across Northern California can be enough to trigger flooding and mudslides, especially in the Carr and Camp burn scar areas.

People living near or downhill of these burn scars and others should closely monitor the weather situation at the end of the weekend and be prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice if high water threatens.

Download the free AccuWeather app to receive the latest weather advisories and forecast for your area.

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Anyone heading to the San Francisco 49ers home game on Sunday afternoonwill want to make sure they bring along the rain gear.

Enough cold air will be pulled southward by the storm to bring a period of heavy snow to the Sierra Nevada from Sunday night to Monday.

Travelers over Interstate 80’s Donner Pass should anticipate reduced visibility, slippery roads and possible closures.

Large, dangerous waves will accompany the storm’s push onshore from the coast of Washington to near Point Conception, California, spanning into Monday.

People should avoid heading to the beaches during this time frame as large waves that seemingly come out of nowhere, known as sneaker waves, can top large rocks and jetties and sweep away unsuspecting individuals.

Small craft should remain in port until the danger has passed.

"While conditions will be worse farther north, high surf can also endanger surfers, swimmers and anyone venturing onto jetties at the west-facing beaches of Southern California Monday into Tuesday," Pydynowski said.

Southern California will be spared the worst of the storm's rain and wind. 

"Two more systems are likely to affect the Pacific Northwest and northern Rockies through the week," Boston said.

The next storm from Monday night through Tuesday could bring an increased risk of flooding and wind damage across portions of Washington and Oregon, while largely sparing Northern California.

Yet another storm will sweep ashore at late week.

AccuWeather will continue to provide more details on the upcoming storms in the days ahead.