Rain is expected to return to Oregon and Southwest Washington by Friday morning and last at least through early next week, according to the National Weather Service.
Low-elevation snow is possible along the Willamette Valley and the Southwest Washington lowlands this weekend. But as of Wednesday morning, NWS meteorologists said the impact of that precipitation on roadways below 1,500 feet would likely be minimal.
Check the latest forecast from NWS Portland
Snow levels will fluctuate over the next few days, dropping from about 4,500 feet on Friday morning to as low as 1,000 feet on Saturday. The most likely outcome for the weekend will be several inches of snow in the Cascades and foothills, including the mountain passes, and rain at lower elevations, according to the forecast.
You may have heard rumors of potential lowland snow this weekend. While it is likely to see some snowflakes in the air, it is not likely to accumulate. This video is a good visual representation of what you might expect, with snow in the air but not on the ground. ❄️ #ORWX #WAWX pic.twitter.com/tdG26APmqR
— NWS Portland (@NWSPortland) January 29, 2025
“Sunday into early next week is where the forecast becomes more uncertain, at least for low-elevation snow,” the area forecast discussion reads. “The general consensus is that lowland rain and mountain snow will continue, and colder air will begin to filter into the area.”
Due to the uncertainty about the amount and elevation of snow in the coming days, coupled with the rise in temperature, NWS has not issued any weather advisories for the weekend. Meteorologists said people with plans to travel at higher elevations in the coming days should continue to keep an eye on t-e forecast.
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