Periods of rain into the weekend, high elevation snow possible

(KTVZ, Bend Ore.) An area of low pressure off the coast is now the main feature in our weather pattern. The low is cut off from the normal steering patterns in the atmosphere, the jet stream, and will meander off the coast for a couple of days. The result will be bands of light rain and high-level snow over the region through Monday.

The low itself will migrate across the Pacific Northwest Saturday and Sunday bringing in the cooler air mass. Highs over the weekend will be in the 50s. The moisture runs out by Sunday from this feature, but a second system will provide some rain and mountain snow Sunday night into Monday morning.

The second low will arrive from interior western Canada and is forecast to dive along the coast.  This movement will take away most of the rain by Monday afternoon but leave the colder than normal weather in place.

In other words, we are looking at a cold and rainy pattern over the weekend. Friday will be the warmest day of the forecast period as highs will be in the 60s.  It should also be the wettest as the bands of rain around the low arrive off and on through the day.

Saturday will see periods of rain, but since the moisture will have to cross the Cascades Saturday, I expect to see light rain and high-level snow.  The rain be off and on across the Tri-Counties, and the snow level will be above the height of the mountain passes, around 5500 feet, so travel to the valley will be slick, with some rain and snow mixed.

Sunday the mountain snow and rain remain but will have a tough time getting east to the high desert. There will be cloudy skies and some light rain at times but should not be too impactful.

Overnight into Monday should be rainy and cold enough for us to see some snow. The snow in Bend, Redmond, Madras and Prineville will be mixed with rain, so no accumulation is expected. The roads will be slick on Monday morning but mostly wet as the ground is not cold enough to support accumulating snow on the roads. Might see some wet snow on the fields. There is a better chance for some light snow to accumulate in La Pine, Sunriver and Sisters as the elevation will support a better chance for frozen precipitation.

Showers are expected to taper off by mid-day, and we begin a dry period.  The colder than normal air will stick around through the week as highs will only reach the 50s through at least Friday.

Please, Stay safe.

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