A taste of spring today, wintry conditions late Sunday night

Plenty of sunshine today along with spring-like weather as high pressure continues to dominate the region.  Highs will cross the 60-degree mark today making it feel more like May than February.  Don’t get too used to the warmer than usual weather as wintry conditions are likely Monday.  

Sunday is what I like to call the “transition” day, as we prepare for the return of a wintry pattern. We will also be mild Sunday, with highs in the 50s, but we will see an increase in cloud cover as the day moves along. The clouds will signal that “transition” from the mild pattern to a colder and snowy one. 

An area of low pressure will push through southern Canada and drag a cold front over the region. This cold front will be the catalyst for the next round of snow. The snow will be robust in the mountains and translate to a few inches in our lower elevated locations. 

A Winter Storm Watch is in place for western portions of Deschutes and Jefferson counties beginning late Sunday and lingering into Monday. A watch is issued as the NWS believes there is sufficient evidence that wintry weather is possible within 48 hours from the issuance. This watch will be upgraded to either a Winter Storm Warning or a Winter Weather Advisory today or tonight. More than likely a warning will be issued for the Mountains, and advisory for the lower elevations. 

Sisters, La Pine, and Sunriver are a few cities in the watch area, and will more than likely see a few inches of snow by the end of day Monday. Windy conditions are also part of the equation as gusts may peak near 35 mph, blowing the snow about. 

Monday will be a snowy day with several inches falling on the Cascades and a few inches along the eastern face of the mountains. Highs will be in the upper 30s in Bend and Redmond, but even cooler conditions are possible in the Watch area. 

The final week of February will be rainy and snowy at lower elevations and the Cascades will get significant snow. Snow riders are likely to enjoy next week’s wintry weather. Travelers will have to deal with very dangerous conditions through the passes. Lower elevations will be impacted by a mix of snow and rain most of the week.  

Keep an eye on the Red Banner at the top of the page to stay informed about the latest weather alerts. 

Stay safe.  

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