Rod's Weather Headlines

Saturday would have become the third 70 degree day of the year at PDX.  Instead the high only reached 69 degrees and we are stuck on the number two.  Lots of talk has been made about the chilly start to May. Just as interesting is the lack of warm days.  So far the warmest day in Portland was back in March when the temperature reached 73 degrees.  The record high for today, May 8th is 92 degrees and we have even not come close to 80 yet!  Here is how we compare to recent years.  The number of 70 degree plus days through the 8th day of May:  2009 - 7 days, 2008 - 5 days, 2007 - 6 days and 2006 - 8 days.  Most of the years mentioned had 1 -3 days reach 80 degrees by today's date.  My point is, we are way overdue for a run of 70 degree days with a few 80s thrown in the mix.  The forecast for this coming week does feature a string of near 70 degree afternoons.  Maybe spring is starting!

Happy Mother's Day

Cold east winds becoming gusty Tuesday night and blowing 40-50 mph near the gorge Wednesday and Thursday will set the stage for more winter weather over the Portland and Salem metro areas.  At this point, any moisture before Thursday night will be light and scattered, meaning no problems are expected.

Heavier snow looks possible Friday morning with a possible icy mix.  Forecast models show the potential of 2-4" of metro valley snow, which would cause closures. East winds could keep temps near freezing through Saturday morning with more snow or ice potential.  Saturday afternoon is expected to see south winds bring warming with a transition to all rain, except areas near or inside the Gorge.

-Rod Hill

ICE STORM WARNING FOR PORTLAND-VANCOUVER METRO AREAS UNTIL 10:00 PM TODAY.

12 NOON UPDATE:  A period of dry weather this morning has helped a fuel a warm up.  Most areas away from the Gorge and not getting hit with gusty east winds will see rain this afternoon with temps in the mid 30s and warmer.  This includes downtown Portland.  I continue to watch cold pockets in Clark county, but warming may take place.  Troutdale and other cold windy areas near the gorge should expect accumulating freezing rain ice this afternoon and tonight.   -Rod Hill

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Light freezing rain will begin 7:00 - 8:00 this morning. Areas away from the east wind will see less than .25" of ice accumulation and could see temps warm above 32 degrees by early afternoon. Gorge areas (Camas, Troutdale, Gresham etc.) likely to see bad ice accumulation up an inch. Freezing rain may last into Wednesday where east winds are blowing the hardest. Areas above 1,000' will see temps warm the fastest and turn to rain.

Salem to see light ice then all rain by the noon hour. Areas near and north of Woodland also should see warming temps by early afternoon.

ICE STORM WARNING UNTIL 6PM WEDNESDAY FOR THE GORGE, INCLUDING HOOD RIVER.  

Heavy ice accumulations in the Gorge may force I-84 closures.

FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH AT LEAST THURSDAY.  

Heavy rain likely Tuesday afternoon - Wednesday night, followed by more rain into the weekend. 

COAST HIGH WIND WARNING - TUESDAY AFTERNOON - WEDNESDAY MORNING.

Cold east winds, blowing out of the Gorge to set the stage for possible Tuesday morning freezing rain in Portland and Salem.   

Precipitation is expected to return early Tuesday morning and may fall as freezing rain, depending on temperatures.  Hours of freezing rain are possible into early afternoon and possibly longer near the gorge in places like Camas, Troutdale and Gresham.  Ice will be possible at elevations near and lower than 2,000 feet.  During the afternoon, south winds should bring warming temps, changing most of the valley to rain.

The Gorge will likely see a bad ice storm with 24 hours of possible ice accumualtion from freezing rain Tuesday into Wednesday afternoon.  Significant ice accumulations of .75" are expected.  Conditions could get bad enough for I-84 closures.  

Flooding rains and rapid snow melt continue to be a concern.  A FLOOD WATCH is posted for much of our region.  Inches of metro valley rain will fall Tuesday through Thursday. The metro valley could see 2-3" of rainfall, while 3-5" fall at the coast and 4-7" hit the Coast Range.  Rising snow levels to 8,000' will melt mountain snowpack while heavy rains fall.

 Keep updated as weather will be a top story through mid-week.

-Rod   /  January 16, 2017

All forecast eyes are on rising snow levels to 6,000 or 7,000 feet next week, along with 50 degree valley temperatures and inches of rain. The combo may be more than enough to cause high water problems, including river flooding.  

Forecast models show likely rain returning Monday night, falling steady all day Tuesday as warmer air returns and heavy rains Wednesday as a Pacific front pushes inland. Valley rain totals Monday night through Thursday could reach 2-3 inches, while the mountains pick up 5-6 inches or more. The warm, wet combo would quickly melt all of the valley snow and much of the Coast Range snow pack as well as lower elevations of the Cascades.  Rapid rises in rivers & streams should be expected.  Stay updated with the forecast here at PortlandWeather.com

-Rod Hill

ICE STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT

Expecting a checkerboard pattern of valley warming today.   Early this morning, temperatures have climbed above freezing at PDX, Hillsboro, Beaverton and Estacada to name a few locations. 

Much of the Portland metro will continue to see freezing rain showers this morning and possibly into the afternoon.   Windy areas on the east side are most likely to see ice accumulation through the day. East winds are gusting 40-50 mph near the gorge and 15-30 mph over downtown Portland.  

The warm up timing is a tough call.  Please check conditions before traveling. 

A WINTER STORM WARNING continues for the gorge where temperatures will hold in the 20s today with ice and snow. 

ICE STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT

Expecting a checkerboard pattern of valley warming today.   Early this morning, temperatures have climbed above freezing at PDX, Hillsboro, Beaverton and Estacada to name a few locations. 

Much of the Portland metro will continue to see freezing rain showers this morning and possibly into the afternoon.   Windy areas on the east side are most likely to see ice accumulation through the day. East winds are gusting 40-50 mph near the gorge and 15-30 mph over downtown Portland.  

The warm up timing is a tough call.  Please check conditions before traveling. 

A WINTER STORM WARNING continues for the gorge where temperatures will hold in the 20s today with ice and snow. 

ICE STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT

Expecting a checkerboard pattern of valley warming today.   Early this morning, temperatures have climbed above freezing at PDX, Hillsboro, Beaverton and Estacada to name a few locations. 

Much of the Portland metro will continue to see freezing rain showers this morning and possibly into the afternoon.   Windy areas on the east side are most likely to see ice accumulation through the day. East winds are gusting 40-50 mph near the gorge and 15-30 mph over downtown Portland.  

The warm up timing is a tough call.  Please check conditions before traveling. 

A WINTER STORM WARNING continues for the gorge where temperatures will hold in the 20s today with ice and snow. 

Watches are posted from Longview to Portland to Eugene for a weekend Winter Storm, bringing snow and freezing rain accumulation.  Look for a period of increasing snow to begin Saturday afternoon, changing to freezing rain toward evening.  Ice accumulation will be likely Saturday overnight and Sunday morning for much of the region.  Areas near the Gorge may see Winter Storm conditions last into Monday.  Other locations, such as Salem will see Sunday warming and all moisture change to rain. 

In general, 1-3" of possible snow is in the forecast Saturday afternoon into early evening.  A transition to freezing rain Saturday night will bring ice accumulations of .25 - .75", coating trees, powerlines and roadways. If true, the valley would see a major ice storm, lasting well into the day Sunday for areas near the gorge. 

The central Gorge, including Hood River will see mostly now, with 6-12" expected!  West Gorge cities such as Corbett could see 2-5" of snow with an inch of ice accumulation on top.  Coast Range cities will see 3-4" of snow with .25-.75" of ice coming Saturday night. 

All areas should plan for at least some snow accumulation, followed by ice.  Sunday will find a wide variety of weather with possible 40s and rain in Salem, while Portland stays near freezing with icy weather not breaking until Sunday night.  The coast will see nothing but rain while the Gorge waits until Monday or Monday night to warm above freezing.

-Rod Hill