Frigid arctic air mass overtakes Central Oregon to start the week
The next weather feature for the region will be the arrival of bitterly cold arctic air. Tonight, there is enough moisture left in the lower levels of the atmosphere from previous snow days that we may see some fog develop. It will be freezing fog if it does, so be prepared for some light icing on roads, bridges, decks, and sidewalks so stay alert for icy patches.
Monday starts out in the teens and doesn’t get much warmer as the high temperature will not get above freezing. The afternoon highs are likely to be in the upper 20s most locations under mostly cloudy skies.
Tuesday will see some sunshine, but the winds are expected to pick up slightly so the “feels like” temperatures are going to only be in the teens. Bundle up, cover as much of your body as possible. If you have to work outside, make sure you take several breaks indoors or inside your vehicle to get warmer. This should be the coldest day with highs in the middle 20s, followed by the coldest night of the week.
Wednesday starts out near zero, preparing your home will be very important. Pipes may freeze up and crack, but if you run a slow drip this should help to keep them from icing up. Wednesday afternoon will once again only reach the middle 20s again.
Thursday will see the approach of an area of low pressure, that feature will bring snow back to Central Oregon. The snow is expected to arrive from the south and given the cold air mass and the moisture content near the low, I expect to see about 3 – 5” of snow once again in Central Oregon. Slightly “less cold” air is expected, but still keeping us below freezing.
More snow is expected on Friday from another feature that will provide a bit more mountain snow then the Thursday feature. The track and timing is still being sorted out by all the models, but overall, it looks like a snowy Valentine’s Day.
Please stay safe.
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