Major winter storm to impact the region Tuesday and Wednesday, snow off and on all week
A significant winter storm will move through the area bringing very gusty winds to the Cascades and High Desert, along with several inches of snow. Snow will be measured in feet in the mountains. The event will begin in earnest before sunrise Tuesday and linger through early Wednesday.
The wind and snow will combine for blizzard conditions in the Cascades, and will translate into the high desert. Blizzard conditions are defined when winds are blowing over 35 mph for over 3 hours along with snow on the ground or snow falling, reducing visibility to a quarter mile or less for that period. A Blizzard Warning is in place for portions of Deschutes and Jefferson Counties, including Sisters, La Pine and Sunriver. Time stamp is from 4am Tuesday morning through 4pm Wednesday.
Bend and Redmond will be experiencing snow and blustery winds that will also reduce visibilities. Snowfall totals are difficult to nail down as the event is so vast, but generally expect to see the heaviest snow in Bend to be after midnight Tuesday and into early Wednesday morning. Possibly 2 – 4” of snow on Tuesday then another 3 – 5” before sunrise Wednesday. All subject to change, but we need to prepare for snow and wind Tuesday and Wednesday.
Snow showers will linger Thursday, Friday, and Saturday as the persistent pattern of snow continues. Winds may ramp up again Saturday along with some heavy snow, but we need to deal with the first system. Be advised, this will be a dangerous situation, especially traveling south of Bend.
The next area of concern is the potential for bitter cold air by the weekend. This has not been etched in stone, but temperatures will be in the middle teens Saturday, Sunday and Monday mornings. Some single digits may be record in pockets.
Stay Safe
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