By Rod Hill on 2010-12-19
Here is an early look at Christmas Day. All forecasts can change, but the following seems to be a good bet:
A strong southerly jet stream will push occasional rain north into Oregon and Washington Thursday, Friday and Christmas day. Snow levels will rise to near 4,000 feet Thursday and 5,000' or higher Friday. This means Christmas Eve travel over Government Camp and Santiam will find wet roadways. The Coast Range will be warm and wet. A cold front Christmas day will bring likely rain at times. The snow level will lower by evening below Cascade passes and sit below 2,000' Sunday.
Travel south over the Siskiyou will find possible snow at night Thursday and Friday, but mostly rain with above freezing temperatures during the day. Snow levels will be near 4,000' or higher at night and 5,000' (above the pass) Friday and Christmas morning. (Very similar to the Cascades.)
I don't see any big issues on I-84 through the gorge.
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