Portland Forecast Sees Possible Snow For Friday Commute, And More

PORTLAND, OR – The morning commute on Friday could be slippery as the National Weather Service says that there could be an inch of snow on the ground by then. They add that, depending on how things develop, Portland could see more than a foot by Tuesday with most falling Monday and Monday night.

Forecasters there issued a Winter Storm Watch that goes into effect at 10 p.m. Friday and stays in effect until 4 p.m. Saturday. They say that during that period – depending on elevation – there will be between one and four inches of accumulation.

Officials say that a "watch" means "there is potential for significant snow, sleet, or ice accumulations that may impact travel."

Forecasters warn that things could change and remind people that the area has many so-called "micro-climates." That means the weather downtown could be different than the weather in east county which could be different than what Oregon City sees.

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It was only Thursday that they said, that while they were confident that there will be a "cold air mass" that "will remain through the weekend, and potentially much of next week as well," there was still "low confidence as to where" the snow will exactly fall "and what snowfall amounts can be expected."

Forecasters warn that the Friday morning commute could be slick with possible ice, rain, or snow.

There won't be much accumulation at that point with flurries and rain more likely than significant snow. That said, they still see the possibility that the ground will be cold enough for the snow to stick and there could be up to an inch on the ground for the morning commute.

Whether it's rain or snow, forecasters say that the bottom line is the same – the Friday morning commute might be slow and slick.

After Friday morning, it should warm up a bit and the snow level will rise, meaning what falls below 1,000 feet will likely be rain.

By Saturday morning, it should be colder, meaning that the snow level should start to fall again and that could bring accumulation from between one and four inches in Portland by Sunday afternoon with twice that along the coast and maybe more than a foot in the Gorge.

Looking out even further, forecasters say that there is a possibility Monday into Tuesday, there could be a significant storm hitting the area, bringing with it the possibility of more than one foot of snow.

Forecasters, though, caution that things could still change. A lot.

The good news in the forecast is that while Portland and the surrounding area could get some inches of snow, up on Mt. Hood, the ski resorts will be measuring accumulation by the foot.

File photo via Colin Miner/Patch.