Early taste of winter this week, mountain snow likely

A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for portions of Deschutes and Jefferson Counties starting at 5 pm Tuesday and lasts until 5 pm Wednesday. 2 - 6" of snow may accumulate in areas above 3500 feet. Higher elevations, above 4500 may see over 6 - 12".

Autumn is a season of transition as the summer patterns end and the winter patterns begin.  The process is gradual when you look at the big picture, but often times there are significant peaks and valleys.

Last week we set records for high temperatures and this week we may need the snow shovels.  A cold air mass is expected to drop into the area this week bringing significant mountain snow and a wintry mix of rain and snow to the high desert.

This time of year, and especially since we were so warm last week, the ground is not frozen. The ability for the snow to accumulate at lower elevations is challenged.  Snowfall totals will be difficult to forecast, but there will be frozen precipitation falling. Roads will be slick and dangerous; visibility will be limited at times and travel over the passes will be difficult.

There will be snow on the mountains late Tuesday night making travel west a challenge.  The lower elevations east of the mountains will see a mix of snow and rain, making the Wednesday morning commute troublesome. The mix of rain and snow will continue off and on Wednesday.

Partial clearing is expected Thursday before another round of precipitation is slated for Friday.  Timing of the precipitation will have us dealing with a wintry mix in the afternoon, followed by some snow into the night.  Models are conflicted and not in agreement as to the accumulations, but a 1 – 3” range of snow in the Bend and Redmond areas may be about as accurate as we can get this far out. Updates to come, of course.

Coldest air of the season is likely this week as the temps will top out in the 40s each afternoon and drop to the 20s overnight Wednesday into Thursday and beyond into the weekend.

Stay Safe

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