Snow, sleet and freezing temperatures hit the Portland area on Thursday, and winter conditions continued into Friday morning. And things may just be starting.
A winter storm alert for the Portland area was set to expire at noon, but has been extended until Saturday night, alerting residents to a flood of winter precipitation, strong winds and ice.
Here’s a look at what the weather experts are saying about the snow over the weekend:
Portland National Weather Service
The Portland National Weather Service tweeted that Friday night and Saturday were the most likely times of freezing rain or snow in parts of northwestern Oregon. On the map below, they have Portland listed in “Zone 3”, which must be cold enough for snow in “quantities between 5 and 20 centimeters”. In the same topic on Twitter, the NWS Portland says there is potential for a significant ice storm “somewhere between Salem and Portland” from Friday afternoon until Saturday morning.
KGW
Lead meteorologist Matt Zaffino of KGW said he expected to see heavy snow tonight about 7 to 15 centimeters, with more in certain areas:
KOIN 6 Weather
In his morning forecast, KOIN’s Kelley Bayern predicts more accumulated snow this afternoon and evening, noting that areas north of Portland will see the greatest amounts of accumulation. She predicts about 7 to 18 centimeters of snow on Friday night:
KATU
In her weather forecast for the weekend, KATU morning meteorologist Rhonda Shelby predicts two to three inches of snow tonight, with snow and freezing rain on Saturday:
To light things up, here’s a fun video of a Portlander riding a bicycle this morning in the snow by KATU photojournalist Mike Warner.
KPTV
Mark Nelsen of KPTV is forecasting “huge rainfall totals” tonight. He expects an increase in snow, freezing rain and ice pellets in his midday weather update:
Stay safe out there!
– Aron Yohannes