Tuesday Storm To Bring Freezing Rain
By Rod Hill on 2024-01-15
Today's sunny break will quickly end as another winter storm arrives Tuesday. The main concern tomorrow afternoon and into the night will be freezing rain and ice accumulation on roadways and surfaces. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch Tuesday and Tuesday night for the freezing rain threat (shown in blue on the map). Notice the watch area does not include immediate coastal areas where rain is expected, but does extend northward into Cowlitz county and through the west gorge into Hood River. Areas east of Hood River are expected to see snow.
Also on the warning map is a Wind Advisory in effect today tonight and Tuesday morning for the Portland metro for strong east winds gusting out of the gorge 40-50 mph.
Tuesday will see flurries or light snow pick up during the morning hours, but all valley precipitation mid afternoon and into the evening will be freezing rain with ice accumulation expected. Icy weather should also be expected along the slopes of the Cascades and potentially near Cascade pass level before changing to snow.
Tuesday's storm will bring south winds and warming temperatures up the valley Tuesday night with above freezing temps changing ice to rain. Salem could warm into the 40s before midnight and hold in the mid 40s into Wednesday morning. However, the north valley and especially Portland metro areas east of I-205 potentially stay in the freeze due to cold east winds through Wednesday's morning commute.
Areas of eastern Clark and Multnomah counties impacted by gorge winds, should prepare for a possible extended period of freezing rain continuing Wednesday afternoon. Heavy icing of 3/4" is possible.
The storms moisture will end Wednesday night with dry time expected Thursday. All weather models show a return to more normal temperature patterns Thursday and into the weekend as the Arctic air mass exits.
Rod Hill
Rod's Winter Outlook 2023-2024