BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Before the skies turn blue bringing spring sunshine and warmer temperatures, continued heavy rain is in the forecast for the Bellingham area.

The National Weather Service in Seattle (NWS) is forecasting 1.5″ to 2″ of rain to hit Bellingham from Saturday at 5:00 p.m. through Monday at 5:00 p.m.

The North Cascades will also receive some additional spring snow with the Diablo area forecasted to see 3″ to 4″ of snowfall through Saturday morning.

The NWS says a warmer weather system is in the mix starting on Sunday which could lead to rising river levels from snowmelt. At this time, the Nooksack and Skagit Rivers are not at risk for flood stage.

Breezy conditions will return on Sunday in the Bellingham area with gusts of 25 to 40 mph expected at this time.