With heavy snow and strong winds in the forecast for some parts of the state, travel could be dicey ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. Mark Graves/Staff
Chances are, sometime this week, you are traveling to meet with family and friends for a festive feast.
Whether you are heading across the street, across town or across the state, the weather in the Pacific Northwest could pose some challenges depending on your destination and when you leave. Here’s what you need to know in order to arrive safely and, hopefully, without too many headaches along the way.
In and around the Portland metro area
Monday afternoon is expected to have intermittent showers and relatively cool temperatures, but nothing that should impede any Thanksgiving plans. That will likely change for Tuesday, when snow levels could drop to the valley floor. Not much snow is expected to accumulate and the system should blow through by Wednesday, followed by cold air that could push nighttime lows into the 20s.
Thursday is expected to be clear, though not especially warm, with temperatures topping out in the low 40s. The next weather system isn’t expected to affect the area until later in the weekend.
The rest of the state
By Monday, several inches of snow had already fallen on many of the Cascade mountain passes. Snow levels for Monday are expected to stay at the 2,500- 3,000-foot range, so more accumulation is predicted heading toward the holiday.
The heaviest snow in the Cascades is likely to come Tuesday afternoon and evening, especially on the high-elevation passes from Santiam southward. The coast range can expect some snow as well, with snow levels around 1,000 feet, and portions of the Columbia River Gorge, particularly as you travel east, could see an inch or two of accumulation.
Southern Oregon is anxiously awaiting the arrival of a large low-pressure system lingering off the coast, which some have taken to calling a “bomb cyclone.”
“This low is unprecedented in its strength and track,” warned the National Weather Service office in Medford. “Storms of this magnitude have not been observed on this track in the last 15 to 20 years or more.”
The storm is expected to come ashore Tuesday afternoon with high winds and heavy snow for much of the southern portion of the state, especially above 2,500 feet. Some areas, including the Interstate 5 corridor near the Oregon/California border could see snowfall rates up to an inch per hour and wind gusts could top 60 mph. U.S. 101 on the coast will be treacherous, and the storm is expected to impact much of southern Oregon, including Ashland, Medford, White City and parts of Northern California.
“Bottom line: Be where you need to be by 8-10 a.m. Tuesday morning, or wait until Wednesday afternoon,” the weather service said.
The skies look to clear considerably after Wednesday morning, with nothing more than scattered showers in the forecast.
As always, if you plan to hit the road over the next few days, be prepared for whatever nature might throw your direction. Make sure your phones are charged, you know where you’re going and you have gear to sustain yourself if you happen to get stranded. Bring water, blankets and extra food.
If you must travel, have snow tires on the vehicle and chains on board. Expect delays as travel will be slow, and spinouts and crashes could close roads at times.
-- Kale Williams
503-294-4048
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