An atmospheric river will arrive in the Western Washington region on Monday, according to the National Weather Service. Here’s what to know.

What is an atmospheric river?

An atmospheric river is a plume of moisture from the subtropical Pacific Ocean that sweeps an area, according to Logan Howard, meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Seattle.

Most atmospheric rivers are weak and don’t cause major damage, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. However, the system headed for Western Washington is expected to bring flooding to the region’s major rivers.

What should I expect?

The atmospheric river is supposed to roll into the region early Monday, bringing rain with it, Howard said. Rainfall will be consistent throughout Monday before tapering off on

See Full Page