Approaching heavy rain triggers weeklong flood watch for Salem

The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch starting Monday as heavy rain early next week could swell Willamette River tributaries.

The Willamette Valley could see up to seven inches of rain between Monday and Wednesday, the service reported Saturday. The flood watch will take effect at 4 a.m. Monday, Dec. 8, through 4 a.m. Friday, Dec. 12. 

Colby Neuman, a meteorologist in the Portland NWS office, said the region has an 80% chance…