Local Alert Weather Day(s): Wednesday and Thursday morning for heavy mountain snow and high desert mix

Bend, Ore (KTVZ) - A Winter Storm Warning has been issued by the National Weather Service for the crest of the Cascades as well as the east face, starting today at 5 pm and ending at 5 am Thursday. 

A robust early spring snowstorm is expected to bring heavy mountain snow to the Cascades Wednesday. There may be some lingering snow on Thursday morning but most of the snow will be confined to the mountains. Slushy roads will be a concern south of Lava Butte toward Klamath County. 

An area of low pressure in the upper levels of the atmosphere will partner with cold front at the surface and generate the mountain snow and gusty winds. 

Winds will accompany the snow Wednesday evening, limiting visibility and creating dangerous driving conditions through mountain passes. From Santiam Pass to Willamette Pass the snow amount will be around 6 – 10” before sunrise Thursday.

If you have plans to cross the Cascades Wednesday or early Thursday, you may want to re-adjust your travel times.

The cold front will cross on Wednesday afternoon and the chance for a wintry mix of rain and snow will arrive behind it.

Wednesday night into Thursday morning will be the best chance for some high desert wintry mix precipitation.

This will mainly be a mountain snow event, and the high desert will see mostly cold rain.  Some areas across the high desert may get about an inch of snow, but not much will accumulate since the ground is not frozen. There will be some slick roads late Wednesday through Thursday morning, so allow extra time to get to your destination.  

Thursday late in the morning we will begin the drying process and we will be chilly, only reaching the upper 40s,

We bounce back temperature-wise Friday and Saturday under mostly sunny skies. Highs hit the upper 50s Friday and the middle 60s Saturday. More rain is expected to return on Sunday.

Please, Stay safe.

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