Yakima River to rise over weekend

Warm weather systems moving across Eastern Washington and dropping some rain Thursday and Friday will raise water levels in rivers and streams, but flooding is not expected.

The water level of the Yakima River is expected to rise about three feet to crest at a little over nine feet Saturday night and Sunday. It would still be almost 2 feet below the level at which area residents are told to take precautionary action, such as moving animals out of low-lying pastures.

Snow levels on the east slopes of the Washington Cascades should drop from about 7,000 feet to near 3,500 feet by Friday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service. Snow levels in the Blue Mountains could drop to near 5,500 feet. Small streams and creeks in those areas will rise.

This story was originally published January 27, 2016 at 3:46 PM with the headline "Yakima River to rise over weekend."