Winter Storm Warning in place for portions of Central Oregon tonight, more snow on the way Friday

Today is the first day of Spring and the weather is much more reminiscent of Winter.  Snow is falling on the mountains, to the delight of the snow riders, making travel difficult through the passes.  The snowfall will continue off and on though early Saturday. The Cascades are the focus of the Winter Storm Warning, but areas south of Lava Butte and west to Sisters are also being impacted by some light snow.

The Winter Storm Warning will be replaced by a Winter Weather Advisory as soon as the Warning expires. There will be less intense weather issues, but weather issues nonetheless. Total snowfall from Bend to La Pine is still the same, only 1 - 3" by Friday night. Winds will be gusting near 25 at times, more over the mountains. Still dangerous travel across the Cascades.

Therefore, Friday will be another snowy day across the mountains. The snow will be piling up at a decent rate at locations above 5500 feet, and above 4000 we could get another inch or so.  La Pine, Sunriver, and Sisters may see the snow, but areas like Bend and Redmond as well as Prineville should see only flurries or a brief mix of rain and snow.  The ground across the High Desert is not frozen, so accumulations will be lower than the models forecast.

Saturday begins the dry and milder period as the snow and rain machine takes a break.  Highs on Saturday will not be much warmer than Friday, topping out in the low 50s, but partial clearing later in the day will allow for the solar energy to at least make see some hope for warmer weather.

The warmer pattern begins in earnest on Sunday as we top out in the 60s under partly cloudy skies. Light winds and plenty of sun should salvage the second half of the weekend.

Monday and Tuesday will be dry with highs near or above 70-degrees. Spring-like temperatures are a welcomed sight to many, other than snow riders. Wednesday and Thursday will be mild as well, but we may see a few rain showers Wednesday and some spotty showers on Thursday.  All in the form of rain, not snow. Temps cool some on Thursday, but remain above the normal low 50s for late March.

Please stay safe.

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