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QuickTake:
Stormy weather is forecast to hit Eugene and Springfield this week as an atmospheric river moves into the Pacific Northwest.
Described as a waterway in the sky, an atmospheric river could reach Eugene and Springfield this week, National Weather Service forecasters say.
They expect a narrow band of moist air to bring heavy rain and gusty winds to the southern Willamette Valley. Rain is expected to begin Thursday and intensify along with increasing winds around noon Friday, though conditions could hold off until as late as 7 p.m.
Wind speeds could top 25 mph, with a small chance of gusts approaching twice that. The most likely scenario calls for peak gusts around 30 mph, according to meteorologist Rebecca Muessle.
“However, there is still quite a bit of time for things to shift,” Muessle said. “It will greatly depend on where and when a (low-pressure system) sets up that is stemming from the Gulf of Alaska.”
Rain isn’t expected to cause significant urban flooding, but fallen leaves could lead to ponding on roads and in low-lying areas, she said.
Winds and rain this time of year are typical for Eugene and Springfield, according to National Weather Service records. However, as the climate changes across the Northwest, the way the rain falls is changing too.
Peer-reviewed research shows that as the atmosphere warms, it holds more moisture — and when strong winds drive that moisture inland, it can unleash heavier, faster rainfall, like a sponge being wrung out.
Before this year’s drought, an atmospheric river in February — combined with snowmelt — brought similar wind and rain across western Oregon. It led to 1,500 storm-related outages for Springfield Utility Board customers.
