File:GOES-11 Sees Approaching Rainmaker to Add to Snowmelt on Columbia River (5754836133).jpg

Snowmelt is happening in the Pacific Northwest, and over the next few days water from east of the Cascade Mountains will continue flowing into the lower Columbia River system. Satellite imagery shows that an approaching cold front is likely going to add to the water levels.

This image from the GOES-11 satellite on May 24 at 1445 UTC (10:45 a.m. EDT) shows the approach of a strong cold front headed to the Pacific Northwest. The bow-shaped clouds in the top left are associated with that cold front that will bring rain tonight after midnight local time. The system is expected to bring between 3/10ths and 3/4ths an inch of rain tonight and Wednesday in western Oregon, including Portland and Eugene, south to Redding, Calif. Rain is the last thing needed in Oregon, as the National Weather Service issued a Flood watch for the Columbia River at Vancouver affecting Multnomah and Clark Counties today and "until further notice."

The GOES series of satellites are managed and operated by NOAA. NASA's GOES Project, located at NASA Goddard, procures and manages the development and launch of the GOES satellites and creates some of the GOES satellite images and GOES satellite imagery animations

Rob Gutro NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center

Credit: NOAA/NASA GOES Project

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission.

Follow us on Twitter