As we get closer to the weekend and atmospheric river is on the way. But what is an atmospheric river? Well put simply it is a band of moisture that comes out of the central pacific and bears with it heavy rain to the pacific northwest.
While in many cases this rainfall is captured by the Olympic mountains some of the rain can make it to our region and especially in the blue mountains can bring torrential rain and snowfall. This can lead to Mudslides, river flooding and in some cases street flooding.
KEPR spoke to the Kennewick Department of Public works to learn about the best courses of action to stay safe on the Roadways. And their advice was to slow down, make sure you are familiar with your the de-froster for your windshield, and that you check your windshield wipers are in working order. The most dangerous event when driving in rain, just as much as the slick roadways is the reduction in visibility.
Beyond road hazards we are also expecting this rain event to bring the complete end of the wildfire season. Areas that wildfires ravaged do have the potential to form mud slides as burn scars tend to be unstable especially under heavy rainfall.
Regardless this is the first event of the year, and we are unlikely to expect significant damages to life and property. Regardless it is always better to be safe than sorry.