PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- Rain, wind and snow continues to batter the Pacific Northwest as fall ends and winter approaches this week.
The winter solstice begins Saturday, December 21, but soaking rains will dominate Tuesday's forecast.
Temperatures are expected to remain mild across the region as a weak atmospheric river moves moisture into the Pacific Northwest. Afternoon highs will climb into the low to mid-50s on Tuesday afternoon across the valley. However, an east breeze might keeps temps in the Portland metro area in the upper 40s through the afternoon.
Rain accumulation on Tuesday alone will be near three-quarters of an inch around the Portland, Vancouver area. Nearly an inch and a half is possible for the coast.
Gusty winds are expected along the Oregon and Washington Coasts on Tuesday afternoon and evening. Southerly winds are likely to blow as strong as 20-30 mph. Wind gusts could possibly climb to 65 mph late in the day on Tuesday. In Portland, we could see gusts up to 30 mph overnight.
Rain showers will slow with a dry break this evening. Overcast conditions will remain. Another wave of wet weather then moves into western Oregon and southwest Washington overnight to early Wednesday morning.
Portland's dry time is expected to grow Wednesday. A minor warming trend will put temperatures close to 10 degrees warmer than average.
Heavy mountain snow continues above 4,000' on Tuesday morning. A slow drying trend will take place as snow levels continue to climb later in the week.
Enjoy the dry trend setting up by the middle of the week as temperatures remain mild for mid-December. Another round of wet weather is expected to cool conditions slightly by the weekend. Wet weather is expected to last through the start of the week of Christmas. No snow in sight in the valley this holiday!
