LOCAL ALERT WEATHER DAY: Rain and mountain snow will be off and on as we move through the week.

Bend, Ore (KTVZ) – A Winter Storm Watch was issued earlier today for the mountain snow.  Possibly 4 – 8” above 5500 feet, and a mix across the High Desert of rain and snow. I expect a Winter Weather Advisory will be issued when we get into Tuesday. Winds will pick up and visibility will be reduced Wednesday and Thursday.

A Local Alert Weather Day is in place for Wednesday and Thursday as travel will be impacted across the high desert by the wintry mix. In addition to the high desert, the mountain passes will be compromised by the snow and rain mixing. Resorts will be happy to get some new snow as this season has been a low snow producer.

Two systems are expected to push through the Pacific Northwest this week with the first already in place. The light rain and some wet snow will fall today and Tuesday as an area of low pressure pushes across the state. Light rain and maybe some flurries will mingle in at times, but generally a light watering of the lawn today and Tuesday.

A few scattered showers will be present across the region on Tuesday as we get ready for some decent mountain snow late Wednesday into Thursday.  The temperatures this week will be in the 50s the next few days, with overnight lows in the 30s. The chance for some snow across the region is very low and the accumulation will be near zero as the snow will melt when coming in contact with the warm ground.

Wednesday will be a bit more widespread rain and mountains snow as the second in this series crosses the region. The snow will be more likely overnight Wednesday into Thursday at lower elevations, so I am not ruling out some slushy roads to kick off our Thursday. The ground is not frozen so there should be very little accumulation across the high desert. Snow may also accumulate on grassy areas and your back deck before dawn Thursday so be prepared for some slick surfaces.

Winds are likely to be a concern at times as the region will be looking at gusts near 35 mph at times. Dangerous crosswinds may compromise travel in the region.

This will mainly be a mountain event, as is usually the case this time of year. The mountains may see as much as 4 – 8” by the time all is said and done Thursday afternoon. High temperatures on Thursday will be in the upper 40s as overnight lows hover near freezing.

Following the early Spring snow event, we will quickly return to our dry and mild pattern. Highs on Friday approach 60 and over the weekend we will return to the 70s.

Please, Stay safe.

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