Salem-News.com Weather articles

Spring Snow Expected in Oregon

Snow is still on the horizon, regardless of the arrival of Spring.

(SALEM, Ore.) - A strong Alaskan low will usher unseasonably cold air into southwest Washington and northwest Oregon, with the cold air likely to linger well into the upcoming weekend.

Snow levels will lower dramatically through Thursday evening, falling to around 500 to 1000 feet or possibly lower by Friday morning.

Winter Weather Continues Over Oregon`s Mountain Passes

Preparation is your best bet to safely navigate traveling.

(SALEM, Ore.) - As winter storm systems continue to roll through Oregon, we want to remind everyone to be prepared for what they may encounter over mountain passes in the coming days.

Many higher elevations across the state are expecting heavy snow, strong winds and reduced visibility.

Complete Your Travels and Get Safe Before the Storm Hits

The safest step for dealing with an ice storm is to stay inside.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Anyone planning holiday travels should get on and off the road before the coming ice storm hits the roads.

Forecasts say the ice storm will start Thursday night and reach large parts of Oregon. Travelers should complete their journeys before the storm arrives to have a safe and happy holiday.

Winter Storm Watch for NW Oregon

Thursday morning lows likely will be the coldest temperatures since 2014.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Temperatures will drop fast Wednesday night and stay cold through Friday morning as an arctic front moves into the area from interior Canada.

A Winter Storm Watch will be in effect from Thursday afternoon through Friday late afternoon.

Winter Weather Advisory for Oregon`s Central Willamette Valley

Winter Weather Advisory: December 30, 04:00 AM PST until December 30, 12:00 PM PST

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - The National Weather Service has issued another Winter Weather Advisory in effect from 4am to noon Thursday for the central Willamette Valley, including the cities of Salem, McMinnville, Woodburn, Stayton, and Dallas.

Total snow accumulation is expected to be 1 to 2 inches, mainly north and east of Salem.

Winter Brings Possibility of Snow to Western Oregon this Weekend

Anyone with travel plans for Christmas Eve through next week should prepare for winter travel conditions.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - The combination of cold temperatures and occasional precipitation raises the possibility of snow and ice for the lowlands as early as Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

Latest indications suggest it will turn even colder next week, with a high probability of accumulating snow reaching the lowest elevations of southwest Washington and northwest Oregon, including the Interstate 5 and 84 corridors.

Parade of Storms to Resume in Washington and Canada

As cleanup and recovery efforts persist, excessive rainfall is once again in the forecast for storm-weary regions of western Washington and British Columbia, Canada.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Another train of storms is expected to race through the hard-hit areas of the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia, Canada, this week.

For those in the U.S., Thanksgiving will be a particularly wet holiday.

Millions Plan Thanksgiving Travel Amid Weather Worries

Americans are hitting the road (or the air)- whatever the weather.

(SALEM, Ore.) - More than 53 million people are predicted to travel for Thanksgiving this year, which is up 13% from last year, according to AAA, and near what was seen at the last Thanksgiving before the coronavirus pandemic in 2019.

Mother Nature will serve up a cornucopia of weather elements across the United States on the day before Thanksgiving including chilly winds, a bit of snow, rain showers and a few thunderstorms, but dry and tranquil weather is on the menu for large swathes of the country.

Coldest Days of Winter May Lie Ahead

How much snow will fall and where remains highly uncertain at this point.

(SALEM, Ore.) - The coldest temperatures of the winter are expected to drop southwestward into southwest Washington and northwest Oregon beginning Wednesday night. These frigid temps will likely persist through at least the weekend.

Widespread high temperatures in the 30s to low 40s and low temperatures in the 20s appear likely.

Winter Weather Advisory in Effect for Oregon`s Willamette Valley

The heaviest snowfall is expected from late afternoon through about midnight Wednesday.

(SALEM, Ore.) - The heaviest precipitation can be expected from late afternoon through about midnight Wednesday, with snow accumulations of up to two inches (though it will be deeper in some areas).

Snow levels late this afternoon over southwest Washington and far northwest Oregon will be around 500 feet. Snow levels for the
central coast are expected to be closer to 1000 feet.