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Atmospheric River Storms Drench Pacific Northwest

A series of storms brings heavy rain, strong winds and heavy mountain snow to British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest.

Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Current Conditions

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a dense storm cloud band over a dark gray sea and jagged coastal mountains, evoking the weight of a drenching weather system.
Atmospheric river storms are drenching British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest, bringing heavy rain, strong winds and mountain snow after a dry late summer. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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A series of atmospheric river storms is bringing heavy rain, strong winds and mountain snow to British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest. Flooding, mudslides and avalanche risk are increasing across the region.

Why it matters

Rainfall from late summer through Nov. 5 was running 25-75% of the historical average across much of the region, so the storms arrive after a notably dry stretch. The series of storms is forecast to bring significant accumulations in coastal and mountain areas over the coming week.

Observed rainfall reached 1-2 inches per hour in the heaviest downpours, and snowfall exceeded 6 inches per hour in the hardest-hit mountain areas. Forecasts call for more than a foot of rain in coastal British Columbia and western Washington and 10-20 feet of total snowfall in the Coast Mountains through Nov. 14, though specific flood impacts remain unconfirmed.

The details

Storms are carrying long plumes of moisture known as atmospheric rivers, and precipitation is falling in rounds with breaks between storms. Strong winds are occurring along the coast and through mountain passes, and the first storm continues to affect British Columbia and Washington into Friday evening, Nov. 6.

Timeline

  1. Friday, Nov. 6: First storm continues affecting British Columbia and Washington.

  2. Saturday, Nov. 7: Next storm brings drenching rain to Vancouver Island.

  3. Wednesday, Nov. 11: Strongest storm of the series is forecast to reach Vancouver Island.

  4. Saturday, Nov. 14: Forecast period ends for rainfall and snowfall totals.

Seasonal Patterns

The series follows the recurring pattern of atmospheric rivers, long plumes of moisture that periodically drive heavy precipitation into the Pacific Northwest and coastal British Columbia during the winter storm season. It arrives after a period when rainfall ran well below the historical average across much of the region.

Residents in affected areas should monitor local conditions as flooding, mudslides and avalanche risk increase across the region. Those traveling through mountain passes should expect strong winds and rapidly changing snow conditions through the forecast period.

The takeaway

Storms in this series are expected to deliver more than a foot of rain and 10-20 feet of snow in parts of the region through Nov. 14. Staying informed about flood and avalanche warnings is the most useful step for anyone in the affected areas.

Further reading

For ongoing updates on present storm impacts, see Current Conditions.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Accuweather.

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