An atmospheric river will bring poor weather to the Pacific Northwest this weekend, according to a National Weather Service (NWS) forecast.

Newsweek reached out to NWS Portland by phone for comment.

Why It Matters

Atmospheric rivers are a "long, narrow region in the atmosphere—like rivers in the sky—that transport most of the water vapor outside of the tropics," according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The storms brought by atmospheric rivers are known for their heavy snow, heavy rain and strong winds. They more commonly affect the West Coast, particularly during the winter months. Although the storms can bring beneficial snow that helps supplement reservoirs throughout the summer dry season, they can also trigger deadly flooding, mudslides and widesp

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