The scent of bratwurst and pretzels filled the air as horses clopped down the main street, hauling a carriage full of tourists. Nestled in her

Leavenworth was a near ghost town on the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountains, with abandoned mines and abandoned dreams. Then, desperate business owners made a far-fetched pitch.

Leavenworth, Washington, has become a holiday hotspot, transforming from a fading mining town into the Pacific Northwest's festive capital. View on euronews

A potent atmospheric river arrives on Christmas Day. Conditions will be blustery with increasing wind along the coast, through the Inlet and for some portions of the North Sound. Heavy lowland rain and mountain snow will increase throughout the morning and into the evening.

A lot of retail businesses are open on Christmas Eve in Washington, but many chains close early. Many stores are closed on Christmas Day.

Santa will be surfing an atmospheric river into the Pacific Northwest in 2024, as the region is slated for a wet Christmas.