Storm systems bring heavy rain to the Pacific Northwest and a wintry mix to the Upper Midwest

The first of a series of powerful storms hit the Pacific Northwest on Tuesday, dumping heavy rain, swelling rivers and prompting high water rescues, authorities said.

The National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center forecast several days of heavy rainfall in western Washington and northwestern Oregon with the trans-Pacific jet stream bringing heavy rain along the coast and more than a foot of new snow in the northern Rockies in northwestern Wyoming. Flood watches are in effect with scattered flash flooding possible along the coast and into the Cascades through midweek.