Impending Winter Storm Puts Pacific Northwest on Alert for Snow and Freezing Conditions

Takeaways:

• The Pacific Northwest, particularly the Portland metro area, is preparing for a combination of cold arctic air and an atmospheric river, which could lead to low elevation snow and winter weather conditions this weekend.

• Meteorologists are considering two main scenarios: one where the arctic air and atmospheric river arrive simultaneously, leading to significant snowfall and travel disruptions, and another where the arctic air arrives with strong east winds but less precipitation.

• The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for the Portland metro area, with the potential for 1 to 6 inches of snow from Friday afternoon through Saturday afternoon.

• The central and southern Willamette Valley may also experience winter weather, with a mix of snow and freezing rain expected, depending on the extent of the arctic air's reach.

• The forecast is complex and subject to change, with updates to be provided by KATU meteorologists on various platforms.

References:

[1] Arctic Blast: Pacific Northwest gears up for bitter cold and low elevation snow. Link

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