Persistent wet pattern ahead, mainly a mix of rain and snow

A Winter Storm Watch has been issued by the NWS for the Cascade Mountains beginning Wednesday afternoon and ending Friday morning. The Watch was issued due to the potential for one to two feet of snow on the crest of the Cascades. The snow level is currently estimated to be above 5000 feet, the mountain passes will be significantly impacted by the snow Wednesday night and Thursday night. There will also be gusty winds near 40 mph at times reducing visibility. There will be two rounds of snow, impacting travel.

The bulk of the snow will fall in the mountains as heavy and wet, causing slick roadways. Fog is likely at times, reducing visibility.

Before the snow arrives over the Cascades we will have a mix of rain and snow.

There is going to be little change in the forecast for the next several days as wave after wave of rain and snow push through Oregon.  The temperatures will be mild enough during the day to keep the precipitation type mainly rain, but south of Sunriver I expect to seem a mix of rain and snow. Tonight looks to be on the mild side of normal, therefore a rainy vs. snowy night ahead.

Temperatures will be mild enough tonight to support mainly rain into the morning commute. Cooler overnight temps Christmas Eve may allow for some snow south of Bend by early Christmas Day. Not much will accumulate.

The temperatures in areas north of Bend will be mild enough each afternoon to generate rain, but overnight they drop cold enough to produce some snow/rain.  South of Bend the snow may persist a bit longer in the morning before switching to a mix. Sunriver, Sisters and La Pine may see snow on Christmas Day that may accumulate to about an inch or more.

The issues over the next several days will be fog and icy roads.  The afternoon rain falling on the snow usually cause some patchy fog. Overnight the fog may be a bit more likely as the temperatures mix out from warm to chilly too. 

The sub-freezing temps overnight for the next couple of days will be cold enough for patchy ice as well. Mainly on side streets and elevated surfaces like bridges and overpasses.

The last several days of 2024 will be wet and gloomy at times.  There may be some breaks in the cloud cover at times, but generally a mostly cloudy and wet period awaits us for the rest of the year.

Please stay safe.

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