Mountain Snow and Freezing Rain Overnight, Winter Weather Advisories in Effect

Key Messages:

1. Expect mountain snow and freezing rain tonight into Friday, with Winter Weather Advisories active in several areas.
2. Lower elevations will see rain tonight through Friday .
3. Breezy conditions are forecast Friday morning and afternoon for the Grande Ronde Valley.
4. Widespread precipitation returns Saturday afternoon and evening.

Tonight through Friday:

• What’s Happening Now:
  Radar shows light to moderate rain falling across the Lower Columbia Basin and surrounding foothills under cloudy skies. This is all thanks to a warm front slowly moving north ahead of a cold front set to arrive late Friday morning.

• Snow and Freezing Rain:
  Snow levels will range from 5,500-7,500 feet in Oregon and 1,000-3,000 feet in Washington , so expect varying conditions.

  • Freezing rain could persist in areas where cold air is trapped at the surface, especially in the valleys of north-central Oregon, the Simcoe Highlands, and the southern Blue Mountain foothills.
  • Ice Accumulations: Up to 0.20” of ice is expected in many areas, with some spots (like Condon, Grass Valley, and Moro) potentially seeing closer to 0.25”. Winter Weather Advisories are in place through 4 AM Friday .
  • Snowfall: The Washington Cascade east slopes could get 3-8 inches , while 1-3 inches is expected in the Yakima and Kittitas Valleys.

• Rain:
  Lower elevations, including the Basin and northern Blue Mountain foothills, will see rain through Friday night. Rainfall amounts include:

  • 0.55-0.75″ for the Gorge and northern Blue Mountain foothills.
  • 0.45-0.55″ for the Lower Columbia Basin and Yakima Valley.
  • 0.20-0.30″ for central Oregon and the Kittitas Valley.

• Winds:
  Friday afternoon, breezy south winds will develop in the Grande Ronde Valley, with gusts up to 30 mph (but nothing at advisory levels).

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