Quick post tonight. We have a massive and very powerful storm heading our way. Bottom line it that beginning tonight and lasting through most of Tuesday, we will experience the strongest winds we have seen in years. Gusts 50 to 60mph are likely here in the Willamette Valley and up to 80mph at the coast. Additionally we will see well over 2 inches of rain within the next 24 hours. Flooding is a concern for all areas near small and mid sized creeks and streams. Here’s the estimated rainfall totals through Tuesday evening.

Expect 2 plus inches here in the valley and up to 4 inches along the coast. Expect power outages (possibly widespread) due to the heavy rain and powerful winds. Furthermore, highway and road closures seem like a good bet especially along the coast and in the mountain ranges. Snow levels will be high to begin with resulting in rain up in the Cascades and on the ski resorts.

The rest of the week will feature snow levels 3000 to 4000 feet which means the ski resorts will quickly regain any lost snow.

Some 5 to 6 feet of snow will fall Tuesday afternoon through Saturday with more on the way for the first week of January!

Expect to need chains traveling through the Cascades every day beginning Tuesday afternoon with snow falling each day.

The weather has been rough lately, but we are making it. We avoided lots of power outages with the ice storm thanks to more of the precip falling as sleet (ice pellets) and very little falling as actual freezing rain, plus precip was not all that heavy. Of course it was so dang cold that, as predicted, that the roads were awful Thursday night through Friday night before we thawed out Saturday morning.

Bottom line is make sure you bring in things that could blow around/over and just know that it has been several years since we experienced winds this strong, so be ready for downed trees and power outages. Winds will pick up late tonight. Hang in there and stay safe!!