Three powerful storms are expected to descend over the north western US later this week going into early next week.
Forecasters say the storms could be a signal of a La Niña like pattern in the coming winter. La Niña is a weather pattern characterized by cooler than average water temperatures in the Pacific Ocean.
"The series of storms will bring heavy rain, high country snow and high winds to portions of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, northern California and western Montana, as well as neighboring British Columbia into next week," AccuWeather senior meteorologist Brett Anderson said.
The first storm is expected to pound northernmost California to Oregon and Washington with wind gusts of 50 mph to 60 mph on Thursday and Friday.
Stronger storms with more forceful winds are expected to follow in the coming week.
Heavy snow is also expected to fall on Northwest high country with weather conditions changing to dangerous and life threatening levels with heavy snow, high winds, and plunging temperatures coming in from Thursday to Tuesday.
Meteorologists further say that the weather pattern later this week could be a portent of the coming winter weather conditions.
"A strong northern jet stream is expected to be directed into the north western U.S. and southern British Columbia during December," Anderson explained.
"As the winter progresses, the pattern may evolve enough to turn off the powerful storm track in the north western U.S. during mid- to late-winter," AccuWeather lead long-range meteorologist Paul Pastelok added.
