Drier Saturday, atmospheric river on the way for the PNW

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — It's a tale of two forecasts across the Pacific Northwest this weekend as Saturday's dry skies fade to a weak atmospheric river.

Mostly cloudy skies will remain across the region with a few sun breaks. It's the break in the rain that will send afternoon highs along the Willamette Valley back into the upper 60s and low 70s. Muddy conditions are possible for your outdoor weekend activities due to recent rainfall.

Clouds are expected to increase rapidly Sunday as temperatures cool back into the mid-60s. This is in preparation for a weak and short-lived atmospheric river set to impact the Pacific Northwest by the end of the weekend.

Rain accumulation isn't expected to be any more than a quarter of an inch along the Willamette Valley this weekend. Rain showers will continue into the start of next week with additional totals. Coastal locations will near a half inch to three quarters of an inch of rain by the end of the weekend. That comes with nearly a tenth of an inch of rain possible on Saturday alone.

Snow elevations are expected to return back up to nearly 6,000' as slightly warmer air pushes into the Pacific Northwest. Next week's wet weather could bring snow elevations down to 5,500' by Monday and possibly even lower late next week.

Saturday's the peak of the heat over the next seven days. A stable temperature trend is expected next week as near-average conditions return. Afternoon highs should be in the low- to mid-60s for the end of October.