PORTLAND, Ore. — An atmospheric river is expected to bring heavy rain and gusty winds to the Portland area on Friday and Saturday. KGW has issued a Weather Impact Alert for those days. Rain began along the I-5 corridor at around 9 a.m. Friday and was initially fairly light, but was expected to pick up in intensity in the late morning and early afternoon, according to KGW Meteorologist Chris McGinness.

Winds may be the strongest on Saturday with gusts that could reach 40-50 mph, KGW Meteorologist Matt Zaffino said. Gusts on Friday are expected to reach 30-40 mph in the Willamette Valley. A high wind warning on the central Oregon Coast was expanded northward Friday to include Tillamook County.

Around two inches of rain is expected to fall between Friday and Sunday. River flooding is not

See Full Page