Friday Forecast
A weak system moving out of the Gulf of Alaska will skirt through the region late tonight giving us some much needed rain. Only problem: it’s not much of a soaker and will be out the area during the overnight hours. It is a colder system and I expect some snow flying above 2000′ in the Coast Range and in the Cascades and even the Upper Hood River Valley. Only problem: 1-2″ of new snow for the Cascades, where we continue to face a major snow deficit.
Highs today will be in the mid 40s and after the morning fog we may see a few sun breaks before the clouds increase and light rain arrives. The rest of the weekend looks dry and partly to mostly sunny. One thing we’ll have to watch out for is another potential inversion setting up shop especially on Sunday. If this occurs, the beaches and mountains will be sitting in sunshine and well-above average temperatures while the valleys are socked in the fog and low clouds with temps much cooler.
Have a fantastic Friday and a wonderful weekend, Matt Brode
It’s Here; Old Man Winter!
At 9:30 pm the sun’s rays will be directly overhead at the Tropic of Capricorn; otherwise the beginning of winter. The angle of the sun will gradually move back toward the north and days will get longer.
Meanwhile, dense morning fog this morning will give way to plenty of afternoon sun-breaks and we top off into the mid 40s for daytime highs. Less fog in the mountains and at the coast so sunshine will be abundant.
With clear skies tonight patchy freezing fog may form in some spots as temperatures dip into the upper 20s to lower 30s. Please drive carefully if you see the fog.
No major travel issues coming into the holiday weekend, however, Christmas day and beyond the weather looks to be much more favorable for valley rain and mountain snow.
Have a great Wednesday,
Matt Brode
A Record Breaking December
Meanwhile, I see very little change to the forecast for the next several days. High pressure sets-up shop in the Eastern Pacific – a little weaker than the past couple of weeks – so spots north of PDX and along the Coast could see some very light showers Sunday and again on Tuesday. Otherwise we wake-up most mornings with fog followed by partial afternoon clearing. Daytime highs will be cool (in the mid 40s) and nighttime lows remain at or slightly above freezing.
So right now I’d place the chances of a white Christmas at about 0-1%
Have a fabulous Friday and a wonderful weekend! Matt Brode
Finally some rain and snow
After a paltry start to December – one of our rainiest months – a weak storm system moved through the region, bringing us light valley rain and mountain snow. So far, PDX has only received 0.05″ of rain and most spots across the metro have seen about the same. Ski enthusiasts: 1″ of snow at SKIBOWL, 3″ at Mt. Hood Meadows and 3″ at Timberline.
This morning, the biggest concern is the Columbia River Gorge. While precipitation has been light, it has been in the form of freezing rain and snow. Roadways are hazardous and will be until the milder west winds return sometime around 10 am this morning.
If you were hoping for more of the same, it looks like the waiting returns. Another strong ridge of high pressure will build over the Pacific northwest returning us to the fog to sun pattern for much of the next 7 days. I would place the odds of a White Christmas very low at this time.
Be safe, Meteorologist Matt Brode
Finally A Break From the Dry
After a paltry start to December – one of our rainiest months – a weak storm system moved through the region, bringing us light valley rain and mountain snow. So far, PDX has only received 0.05″ of rain and most spots across the metro have seen about the same. Ski enthusiasts: 1″ of snow at SKIBOWL, 3″ at Mt. Hood Meadows and 3″ at Timberline. This morning, the biggest concern is the Columbia River Gorge. While precipitation has been light, it has been in the form of freezing rain and snow. Roadways are hazardous and will be until the milder west winds return sometime around 10 am this morning. If you were hoping for more of the same, it looks like the waiting returns. Another strong ridge of high pressure will build over the Pacific northwest returning us to the fog to sun pattern for much of the next 7 days. I would place the odds of a White Christmas very low at this time. Be safe, Meteorologist Matt Brode
Dry December Weather Continues
We are now running a December rain deficit of over 2.00″ So where’s the usual rain? I’m Meteorologist Matt Brode with the details.
A ridge of high pressure continues to remain anchored in the eastern Pacific which is giving us foggy cold mornings and some afternoon sunshine. This trend will continue for the first half of your workweek. Daytime highs will be chilly – in the low to mid 40s – with cold nighttime lows in the upper 20s. The next chance of rain arrives late Wednesday and into Thursday. This doesn’t look like a major system, but it does bring the best prospect of rain we’ve seen in a while. Enough cold air may still be locked in the Gorge so we may have to look-out for a brief period of snow before changing over to rain as warmer air moves over-head.
We return to cool and dry conditions as we head into Friday and Saturday.
Have a great week, Matt Brode
More of the same
The unusual stretch of dry weather continues across the Pacific Northwest as a strong area of high pressure remains dead-locked overhead. With a temperature inversion (or temperatures increasing with height) the heavier colder air remains near the surface and the sun is less efficient reaching the ground and heating the surface.
So what does this mean? This means foggy, cold and frosty mornings. Many spots dealing with temperatures below freezing are facing freezing fog and slick road conditions so please practice your winter weather driving skills. Some days the fog will be quick to lift while others we may be socked in for awhile.
Details for your Tuesday include areas of freezing fog followed by patchy PM fog with highs in the lower 40s. For tonight temperatures, due to more fog and clouds, should remain near or slightly above freezing in most spots. Overall, the trend will remain through the weekend with still no rain in sight.
Meteorologist Matt Brode
Turkey Day Weather
First and foremost: Happy Thanksgiving everyone! We are waking up to beautiful conditions on your day-off, so any last minute errands you may have should be fine from a weather standpoint. The next potent storm is quickly working its way toward the pacific northwest and we are dealing with some new advisories and warnings. Sidebar: this storm won’t be nearly as strong as the one we saw earlier in the week. A high wind warning is active for the coast until 7pm tonight, but the highest gusts will be 65 mph and short-lived. A wind advisory is in effect for the valleys through this evening with gusts to 40. Finally, a winter weather advisory is active for the Cascades where 6-12″ of snow will pile-up through tomorrow morning. So please be careful driving through the passes as the snow level is at 2500′ Rain will work its way back into the region after noon, and amounts should be less than 1/2″. High temps will hover in the upper 40s with lows in the upper 30s. Black Friday brings good deals and good weather. We may even see the sun toward the afternoon hours! Have a fantastic holiday, Meteorologist Matt Brode
Turkey Day Travel Weather
After handling over 3 inches of Portland rain in the past 72 hours, let’s see if we can avoid any travel headaches for your Thanksgiving travel plans.
Most of the flooding concerns have ended for the time being and it looks like streams near the coast, which got hit hardest, will begin to subside. So what’s next and how about you travelers?
As the front pushes through today scattered showers will become less frequent and less intense. I wouldn’t be surprised to even see some sun breaks by late afternoon. We saw our highest temperatures of the day early in the morning and temps should level off near 50 in most spots.
If you are flying out of town, PDX looks good with no delays at the time of this writing.
Driving? Passes are wet–not white. The snow level will lower below pass levels by tomorrow ahead of the next weather maker incoming for Thanksgiving Day.
An area of low pressure spinning in the Gulf of Alaska will drop south and bring another period of high winds at the coast on Thanksgiving Day.
Valley rain and lower mountain snow will accompany this system. The difference between this storm and the last one? This one moves through very quickly and winds and rain are short-lived.
It looks very probably that we enter a fairly dry stretch of weather as we make it through the entire weekend and possibly even into next week.
Have a safe and enjoyable holiday,
Matt Brode
Hurricane Force Coastal Winds and Possible Flooding
An epic change in the weather pattern is underway across the Pacific northwest this week. Mother Nature will be delivering us a one-two punch. The second punch likely to be the knock-out punch.
Let’s get started: A cold front blasted through the metro this morning carrying with it moderate to heavy rain and gusty winds. Most of the wind and rain will taper off today before that “number two” punch gets underway tonight.
A much stronger front will move in and stall over the region tomorrow bringing potentially 80 mph wind gusts to the Coast. Winds in the Valley could gust to 40 mph too. Coupled with extremely heavy rains, there is the potential for downed trees, power lines, and urban flooding. Rivers, especially near the coast, could significantly rise and a flood watch has been issued for many of the rivers near the coast. Here is an image of our in-house model 72hr rainfall amounts.
The good news is that wind and rain should taper off by Wednesday, just in time for your travel plans,
Exact rainfall amounts and wind speeds are still a bit uncertain, so stay tuned to Koin Local 6, koinlocal6.com and be sure to download our free weather app available for your iphone and android.
We’ve got you covered 24/7,
Meteorologist Matt Brode
mbrode@koin.com follow me on twitter @mattbrode
