Major snowstorm coming: NWS issues rare blizzard warning for Cascades and east slopes, including La Pine, Sunriver
(Update: NWS reduces Bend snowfall forecast)
Some areas may get 3 feet of snow, 60 mph gusts; 'potentially paralyzing conditions,' John Carroll says
SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) – A severe winter storm headed toward the Northwest prompted the National Weather Service in Pendleton on Sunday to issue a rare blizzard warning for Tuesday and Wednesday – not just for the Cascades, but for much of the east slopes, including the La Pine and Sunriver areas.
First, a winter storm warning is in effect from 4 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, followed by the blizzard warning that begins at 4 a.m. Tuesday and lasts until 4 p.m. Wednesday.
Forecasters say the first storm is likely to bring up to eight inches of snow and winds gusting to 35 mph to the east slopes – and the following blizzard period has a prediction of eight inches to three feet of snow and winds gusting to 60 mph.
"The heaviest snow so far this season is on its way to the Cascades after a strong cold front sweeps across the Pacific Northwest Monday night, ushering in much colder air and more seasonable snow levels for Tuesday," the weather service said late Sunday afternoon.
"Strong and deep onshore flow will lead to periods of heavy snow, strong winds and near-zero visibility for the Cascades, especially for exposed areas above 3,500 feet," they said, "This has prompted us to issue a rare Blizzard Warning for the Cascade passes and above, with Winter Storm Warnings extending as low as 1,500 to 2,000 feet in the Cascade foothills.
"By the time snow showers decrease Wednesday, elevations 3,000 feet and above will likely be measuring their snow in feet, rather than inches," the NWS added.
“Travel could be very difficult to impossible,” forecasters warned. “Widespread blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility to below one-quarter of a mile. Strong winds could cause tree damage.”
“Travel should be restricted to emergencies only” when the snowstorm hits, they said. “If you must travel, have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stranded, stay with your vehicle.”
NewsChannel 21 Chief Meteorologist John Carroll advised Sunday that “we will be dealing with potentially paralyzing weather conditions Tuesday through Wednesday.”
“The winds will be worst in the Cascades, but in Sunriver and La Pine, travel will be severely impacted,” he warned. “Highway 97 south of Bend will be very dangerous."
Carroll explained that a blizzard warning represents expected conditions of sustained wind or frequent gusts to 35 mph and considerable falling and/or blowing snow severely reducing visibility, frequently to less than ¼ mile.
Other areas of Central Oregon also face a very snowy week, with gusty winds as well. Bend, for example, may receive eight to 16 inches of snow over the Tuesday-Wednesday timeframe (that was the afternoon forecast - NWS later Sunday pulled back to predicting 4-8 inches for Bend those two days.), with more snow likely Thursday and still possible into next weekend. Winds in Bend also could gust to 43 mph on Tuesday.
The NWS Pendleton weather map has a veritable rainbow of storm and wind warnings throughout Central and northeast Oregon and southeast Washington.
Tune into NewsChannel 21 as the storm develops and your Local Alert Weather team will keep you abreast of the latest watches, warnings, forecast and conditions.
