Experts warn about swift, cold rivers in Northwest

Published 8:54 pm Saturday, May 4, 2013

PORTLAND, Ore. — The National Weather Service is warning people to think twice before cooling off in the rivers and streams of Northwest Oregon and Southwest Washington.

Meteorologists said Saturday that unusually high temperatures are accelerating snowmelt, increasing river flows and lowering water temperatures to the 40s and 50s.

The weather service said the combination of swift currents and low water temperatures could make it difficult and dangerous to swim.

Unseasonably warm weather is expected to continue through Sunday with temperatures peaking in the upper 80s in some areas.