April to start out cool and stormy across the Northwest

By Faith Eherts, AccuWeather meteorologist

Once again, a string of pleasant weather will come to a soaking end across the Northwest this week.

"Much like this past week, the Northwest will again be active with multiple storm systems making their way onshore this coming week," AccuWeather Meteorologist Isaac Longley said.

While temperatures were not as historically high as earlier in the month, thermometers reached into the 60s at the end of the week as dry weather persisted.

Residents will be glad to know that even as wet weather returns, only a slight temperature drop is in the forecast.

Following an unusually dry March, the region will receive a much-needed period of damp weather, as a large swatch of Washington and Oregon are experiencing moderate drought conditions.

"The first system is set to move onshore Sunday night into Monday morning, and that will bring rain to much of the Northwest with the heaviest falling along the coastline," Longley said.

Northern California and Oregon will be impacted Sunday into Monday before showers overspread Washington and Idaho by Tuesday evening.

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Luckily for those traveling through the region early this week, generally showery weather is expected.

While this could lead to airline delays and slowed traffic due to frequently foggy conditions, it also lowers the threat for flash flooding.

However, Longley pointed out that some coastal areas such as Portland, Oregon, could receive as much as an inch of rain by midweek.

Anyone hoping to spend time outdoors during the first half of the week will have little opportunity to do so without rain gear.

Overcast, rainy weather is expected to hang over the Pacific Northwest through at least Wednesday morning.

"This storm will hang around through midweek until the next system moves in for late Thursday," Longley said.

The potential also exists for a stronger storm to slam into the West Coast at the end of the week.

AccuWeather meteorologists will continue to monitor this threat.

For the latest forecast in your area, download the free AccuWeather app.