* WHAT...Snow expected for elevations above 4000 feet. Total snow
accumulations of 4 to 8 inches. Winds gusting as high as 50 mph.
* WHERE...East Slopes of the Oregon Cascades.
* WHEN...From 1 PM this afternoon to 10 PM PST Thursday.
* IMPACTS...Periods of moderate and heavy snow will combine with low
visibilities to create difficult driving conditions. Gusty winds
could bring down tree branches.
* WHAT...Wet snow expected above 4000 feet. Total snow accumulations
up to 8 to 10 inches. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph.
* WHERE...In Oregon, Northern Blue Mountains of Oregon. In
Washington, Northwest Blue Mountains.
* WHEN...From 10 PM this evening to 4 PM PST Thursday.
* IMPACTS...Periods of moderate and heavy snow will combine with low
visibilities to create difficult driving conditions. Gusty winds
could bring down tree branches.
* WHAT...Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations 1 to 5 inches
except between 12 and 18 inches over the mountains possible.
Lowest snow amounts in the valleys near Baker City and Richland.
* WHERE...In Idaho, Upper Weiser River. In Oregon, Baker County.
* WHEN...From this evening through Friday morning.
* IMPACTS...Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will
likely become slick and hazardous. Travel could be very difficult
to impossible. The hazardous conditions could impact the Thursday
morning and evening commutes.
* WHAT...South winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts 55 to 65 mph are
expected along the headlands and open exposed areas like the
beaches. Elsewhere, expect gusts of 45 to 55 mph.
* WHERE...In Oregon, Clatsop County Coast. In Washington, South
Washington Coast.
* WHEN...From 10 PM this evening to 8 AM PST Thursday.
* IMPACTS...Damaging winds may blow down trees and power lines. Some
power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially
for high profile vehicles.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Expect two bursts of strong winds. First,
ahead of the cold front as it moves ashore around 2 am Thursday.
Then, winds ease a bit, then another burst of strong west to
southwest winds from 4 to 8 am as low pressure north of the region
moves inland.
* WHAT...South winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts 55 to 65 mph are
expected along the headlands and open exposed areas like the
beaches. Elsewhere, expect gusts of 45 to 55 mph.
* WHERE...Tillamook County Coast and Central Coast of Oregon.
* WHEN...From 8 PM this evening to 4 AM PST Thursday.
* IMPACTS...Damaging winds may blow down trees and power lines. Some
power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially
for high profile vehicles.
...MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW CHRISTMAS AFTERNOON THROUGH THURSDAY
ACROSS THE CASCADES...
.A winter system will move across the region during the afternoon
into evening on Christmas and bring widespread mountain snow to the
Cascades through Thursday.
* WHAT...Wet snow expected for elevations above 4000 feet. Total
snow accumulations of 4 to 8 inches. Winds gusting as high as 45
mph.
* WHERE...East Slopes of the Oregon Cascades.
* WHEN...From 1 PM Wednesday to 10 PM PST Thursday.
* IMPACTS...Periods of moderate and heavy snow will combine with low
visibilities to create difficult driving conditions. Gusty winds
could bring down tree branches.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snow levels are expected to bounce between
4000-5000 feet, with the passes across the Cascades right around
4500 feet. If snow levels drop or remain lower, snow amounts will
increase notably across the passes.
* WHAT...South winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph expected
for Ladd and Pyles canyons.
* WHERE...Grande Ronde Valley.
* WHEN...From 10 PM Wednesday to 10 AM PST Thursday.
* IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree
limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.
* WHAT...South winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph expected.
* WHERE...Foothills of the Southern Blue Mountains of Oregon.
* WHEN...From 10 PM Wednesday to 10 AM PST Thursday.
* IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree
limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.
* WHAT...South winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph expected
for the base of the northern Blue Mountains of Oregon and
Washington.
* WHERE...In Oregon, Foothills of the Northern Blue Mountains of
Oregon. In Washington, Foothills of the Blue Mountains of
Washington.
* WHEN...From 10 PM Wednesday to 10 AM PST Thursday.
* IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree
limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.
* WHAT...Southwest winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 60 mph
possible.
* WHERE...South Washington and North and Central Oregon Coast.
* WHEN...From Wednesday evening through Thursday morning.
* IMPACTS...Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines.
Widespread power outages are possible. Travel could be difficult,
especially for high profile vehicles.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...There is considerable variability in possible
outcomes for wind speeds along the coast during this time. There
is a 10% chance that gusts along the Central Oregon Beaches could
see wind gusts around 50 mph, while the worst case scenario shows
nearly 70 mph.
* WHAT...South winds 20 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph possible.
* WHERE...North and Central Coast Range Mountains of Oregon, and
Willapa Hills.
* WHEN...From Wednesday evening through Thursday morning.
* IMPACTS...Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines.
Widespread power outages are possible. Travel could be difficult,
especially for high profile vehicles.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Uncertainty remains high due to variability
in the weather pattern. There is a 10% chance of gusts as high as
70 mph, and a 10% chance for gusts as low as 45 mph.
ESFPQR
A series of systems will bring an extended period of wet weather
across northwest Oregon and southwest Washington through the
weekend. This will lead to rises on rivers and creeks, beginning
Wednesday evening, December 25th through at least Sunday, December
29th. There is currently a 15-30% probability that rivers west of
the Cascades will reach minor flood stage over the next ten days,
except for rivers in southwest Washington which have less than a 5%
chance.
Heavy rainfall may also lead to ponding of water and localized urban
flooding, especially in low lying areas or other areas with poor
drainage. Heavy rainfall will also increase the potential for
landslides and debris flows in areas of steep terrain.
The exact track of these upcoming storms will influence rainfall
amounts, and thus the potential for flooding. Shifts in storm track
can change the current outlook, so be sure to monitor
weather.gov/portland for the latest weather updates, as well as any
watches, warnings, or advisories that may be issued. To view the
latest river forecasts, visit water.noaa.gov/wfo/pqr.
* WHAT...Large waves and hazardous surf conditions. Breakers up to
25 to 30 feet.
* WHERE...North and Central Coast of Oregon.
* WHEN...From 4 PM Wednesday to 10 PM PST Thursday.
* IMPACTS...Destructive waves may wash over beaches, jetties,
and other structures unexpectedly. People can be swept off
rocks and jetties and drown while observing high surf. Minor
beach erosion may damage coastal properties and buildings.
Higher than normal water run-up is expected on beaches and low-
lying shoreline.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...There is a high threat for sneaker waves.
* WHAT...South winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph expected.
* WHERE...Foothills of the Southern Blue Mountains of Oregon.
* WHEN...From 10 PM Wednesday to 10 AM PST Thursday.
* IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree
limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.
* WHAT...South winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph expected
for Ladd and Pyles Canyons.
* WHERE...Grande Ronde Valley.
* WHEN...From 10 PM Wednesday to 10 AM PST Thursday.
* IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree
limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.
* WHAT...South winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph expected
for the base of the northern Blue Mountains of Oregon and
Washington.
* WHERE...In Oregon, Foothills of the Northern Blue Mountains of
Oregon. In Washington, Foothills of the Blue Mountains of
Washington.
* WHEN...From 10 PM Wednesday to 10 AM PST Thursday.
* IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree
limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.
* WHAT...Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations of 1 to 5
inches except 12 to 18 inches over the mountains possible. Lowest
snow amounts in the valleys near Baker City and Richland.
* WHERE...In Idaho, Upper Weiser River. In Oregon, Baker County.
* WHEN...From Wednesday evening through Friday morning.
* IMPACTS...Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will
likely become slick and hazardous. Travel could be very difficult
to impossible. The hazardous conditions could impact the Thursday
morning and evening commutes.
...MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW CHRISTMAS AFTERNOON THROUGH THURSDAY
ACROSS THE CASCADES...
.A winter system will move across the region during the afternoon
into evening on Christmas and bring widespread mountain snow to the
Cascades through Thursday. Snow levels will rise through Thursday,
with much of this activity tapering off or changing to rain by the
evening Thursday.
* WHAT...Wet snow expected for elevations above 4000 feet. Total
snow accumulations of 4 to 8 inches. Winds gusting as high as 45
mph.
* WHERE...East Slopes of the Oregon Cascades.
* WHEN...From 1 PM Wednesday to 10 PM PST Thursday.
* IMPACTS...Periods of moderate and heavy snow will combine with low
visibilities to create difficult driving conditions. Gusty winds
could bring down tree branches.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snow levels are expected to bounce between
4000-5000 feet, with the passes across the Cascades right around
4500 feet. If snow levels drop or remain lower, snow amounts will
increase notably across the passes.
Snowfall is expected through the next few days as a number of wet
systems move through the Pacific Northwest. These wet systems are
associated with warmer air which will cause snow levels to be
elevated to near pass level of the Cascades. While snow is expected,
uncertainty is high for snow accumulations greater than 10 inches.
* WHAT...Snow expected above 4500 feet. From 4500 feet to 5000 feet,
total snow accumulation up to 6 inches. Above 5000 feet, total
snow accumulations of 18 to 20 inches. Winds gusting as high as 45
mph.
* WHERE...South Washington Cascades and the Northern and Central
Cascades of Oregon.
* WHEN...From 1 PM Wednesday to 10 PM PST Thursday.
* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible. Gusty
winds could bring down tree branches and reduce visibility with
falling snow.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snow levels are hovering right around 4500 to
5000 feet which is the elevation of the passes within the
Cascades. Because of this, if snow levels drop below pass level,
snow accumulation will be greater. There is less than a 10% chance
of seeing greater than 12 inches of snow at pass level.
* WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 2 and 26
inches. Winds gusting as high as 70 mph.
* WHERE...The southern Oregon Cascades north of Highway 140
including Crater Lake National Park, highways 62, 138, and 51 at
Willamette Pass. Marble Mountains including Sawyer Bar Road near
Mount Etna, and the pass at Snowmans Hill Summit.
* WHEN...From Wednesday late afternoon through Friday morning.
* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible. The
hazardous conditions could impact the Wednesday evening and
Thursday morning commutes. Very strong winds could cause extensive
damage to trees and power lines.
