PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Cold air continues to pour into the metro and valley as east winds howl through the Columbia River Gorge. The wind will stay strong with gusts between 40 and even 50 mph at the west end of the gorge through early Friday. Wind advisories are in effect for the Portland/Vancouver metro.
Thursday starts cold and windy. Outside of a stray flurry or sprinkle, we’re dry most, if not all of the afternoon.
The first push of moisture arrives between 5 and 9 p.m. A Winter Storm Watch goes into effect along I-5 north of Wilsonville and south of Kelso, through the gorge and central and eastern Oregon this afternoon.
Thursday and Friday will stay cold with the chance of snow, sleet and freezing rain. Any snow accumulations will be light (dusting to 1″ in the metro) and we’ll likely see a quick transition to sleet and freezing rain overnight. Locations closest to the gorge will see more of the snow/sleet/ice, but as you get away from the gorge influence in the valley, the chances for winter precip begin to drop.
Forecast models are trending on the warm side for winter precipitation in the central/south valley locations. We may see a brief period of freezing rain south of Salem Thursday night. Friday morning commute may be challenging with icy spots on roads. Temperatures warm Friday, by midday much of the metro is above freezing. East of I-205, icy conditions continue into the afternoon.
Temperatures warm into the mid 40s Saturday with heavy rain and breezy conditions. Temperatures gradually warm in the gorge. After 4″-8″ Friday in the gorge, this weekend looks mainly wet.
Snow levels drop early next week, but right now it looks like only the hills around town could see a renewed snow threat.
Filed under: Environment, Local News, Multnomah County, Oregon, Portland, Weather
