Details

Wednesday is going to be a chilly day with showers at times and temps only in the upper 30s to low 40s.  Thursday will be wet with periods of rain.  Same goes for Friday.

Now if you recall in my last update I mentioned there was a chance Saturday could end up mostly dry.  After viewing the latest forecast maps it appears that chance is just about gone.  I guess that’s how it goes sometimes.  Anyway, it’s now looking quite wet Saturday and much of Sunday with a shower or two leftover on Monday.  Tuesday & Wednesday should be dry.

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The Gorge

The east winds have been raging at the western end of the gorge and in the Portland metro area.  Those east winds continue through much of Thursday.  Light snow and some freezing rain is likely in the gorge along I-84 Wednesday evening and Thursday before “warming up” above freezing late in the day Thursday and more so by Friday morning.

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The Cascades

14 to 20 inches of new snow is on the way above 4000’ Wednesday night through Monday.  Up to 6 inches is possible as low as 2000’ by Monday morning.  This means snowy travel conditions for several days.

And there you have it.  Nothing real exciting for now, but as always stay tuned for the latest changes and updates!!!

Did you notice how mild it was yesterday?  Salem tied the record high for January 10^th at 60°F.  Check out some of the other very mild high temps across the area.

The relatively warm weather won’t continue with temperatures gradually cooling over the next 5 days.  By Tuesday daytime highs should be down in the mid-40s and lows into the 20s.  Regardless of how mild or cold it is, the one thing it will be is totally dry through at least Tuesday. 

This type of pattern also gives strong gusty winds through the Gorge.  Winds will easily reach 35 – 40mph out near Troutdale with occasional gusts above 50.

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The next 7 days

There’s a small chance for a couple of wimpy showers Wednesday.  Thursday into next weekend are looking fairly wet.

Up in the mountains it will be easy going for several days with no snow until Thursday.

 

*Minor correction:  Salem’s peak wind gust from the storm last week ended up being 54mph, not 51mph as I stated.  Small difference, but as always I want to make sure I’m delivering accurate information for my wonderful viewers.

Brief recap of Saturday night’s storm

Was a quick storm with the strongest winds arriving right on target at around 8:30pm and dying off sometime around 11:30pm.  The Salem airport recorded wind gust of 54mph, our strongest gust this winter.  Many locations in the mid valley saw 48 to 54mph gusts.

Of course I love it when my forecasts turn out well, and if you have been following me over the last year you should have no trouble thinking back to a time or two (or more) when I missed a forecast.  Today I’m happy to say this weekend was not one of those times 😉 🙂

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Okay, enough bragging, and onto the forecast for this coming week.  Currently we have very cold showers streaming onshore which will continue much of the night.  The snow level is quite low at roughly 1500 feet (for sticking snow), and will lower slightly tonight down to 1000’ or so.  Check out how Santiam pass looked late this afternoon.

 

Very snowy up there and that will continue to be the case through Monday night.  All of this is good news for our snowpack.  I see Hoodoo is now reporting over 50” of snow for their base!

Back down here in the valley, I suspect a few roads could be icy early Monday morning IF we get some extra clearing tonight, so pay close attention to conditions before you stepping out to go tomorrow. 

This coming week looks wet.  No big washouts, just drippy regular Oregon rain.

Best chance for dry weather is Thursday afternoon through Friday night.

Next weekend is looking wet..

Highlights

Very active weather on tap for the entire Willamette Valley these next several days.

First things first, we have a pretty strong wind event headed our way Saturday evening into early Sunday morning.  Wind gusts should be in the 35 to 50mph range with chances that they go a little higher or lower depending on the exact track of the storm. Regardless it will be a rainy and windy night.  You can see the storm on the visible satellite right here.  Very impressive looking!!

Sunday will be chilly & breezy with cold showers streaming onshore.  Could even see a hail shower or two.

Sunday night & Monday will be even chillier with a couple showers left over.  Snow levels will only be around 1000’ (possibly lower).  This means the Coast Range and Cascade foothills could see some snow (1 – 3”).  The snow potential does not affect the Salem area at this time…   

Here’s just one of the many snow maps I look at to help make my forecasts. This is total snowfall in inches ending Tuesday night.

Take away message:

1. Cascade passes will be snowy Saturday night through Tuesday morning.
2. Coast Range will be seeing snow at times Sunday – Tuesday AM.
3. Foothills down to 1000′ will see an inch or two Sunday night/Monday morning.

Tuesday could be a bit interesting with a warm front pushing up from our southwest bringing plain old rain, but with cool air in place I could see the foothills and Coast Range communities start out with a brief snow or ice mix before changing to rain.  Something else to keep an eye on.

Wednesday & Thursday:  Lots of clouds with a few showers.

Friday:  Foggy & mostly cloudy.

Feel free to track the storm on satellite with link: http://rammb-slider.cira.colostate.edu/?sat=goes-17&z=1&im=14&ts=1&st=0&et=0&speed=50&motion=loop&map=1&lat=0&opacity%5B0%5D=1&hidden%5B0%5D=0&pause=20190104193219&slider=-1&hide_controls=0&mouse_draw=0&follow_feature=0&follow_hide=0&s=rammb-slider&sec=conus&p%5B0%5D=geocolor&x=4458.13330078125&y=4418.933349609375

More updates to follow, so stay tuned!!!!