Coast and Inland Oregon Likely to Get Snow Monday

Published 11/22/2010

(Manzanita, Oregon) – Get ready for snow on the valley floor of northwest Oregon Monday and maybe even the beaches of the Oregon coast (Seaside may look like this above).

There is the potential for snow in towns like Portland, Salem, Eugene, Florence, Newport, Lincoln City, Manzanita and Seaside early this week, as a sizable chunk of cold weather is dropping snow levels lower and lower on Monday, and even the coast will experience freezing nighttime temperatures on Tuesday.

Fogarty Beach in the snow.

Already the coast range received a hefty dusting this weekend, and the wee hours of Monday morning are expected to make the roads to and from the beaches iced over in some spots. Daytime travel should not be a problem in general, but motorists are required to carry chains or snow tires.

The coast range is under a winter advisory until Tuesday morning, meaning some problem conditions may exist late at night along those highways to and from the coast.

The National Weather Service (NWS) said there is potential for rain that turns to snow on late Monday evening for the valley floor and parts of the coast, but it is not completely certain. One system has already dumped a lot of rain to Oregon and southwest Washington.

“An arctic front is sliding down the Pacific Northwest, bringing much colder air to all areas,” the NWS said. “Snow levels Sunday night will generally linger between 1,000 and 1,500 feet, though heavier showers may pull the snow level to around 500 feet.”

Cape Kiwanda

The NWS said cold rain showers will wash over the coast range and the beaches overnight Sunday, with some possibility of mixed snow and rain. A stronger system will descend out of British Columbia on Monday, pushing the arctic front further south and allowing more significant cold air to hit southwest Washington and northwest Oregon.

“Snow levels will lower to the valley floor late Monday afternoon through Monday night, with the potential for light accumulations as the system drops to the south,” the NWS said. “The Oregon coast may also see some snow by Monday night.”

Late Monday, inland towns like Portland, Salem and Eugene may see up to two inches of snow. Only light amounts are expected along the coastlines of Oregon and Washington.

Low temperatures are likely to drop into the 20’s in both the inland and coastal parts of Oregon and Washington on Monday night and Tuesday night.

Wheeler during a heavy snow event in 2006.

However, the NWS said things will dry up after Monday overnight, as a high pressure system builds over the area. This dry pattern should stay throughout the week, and it’s expected to warm up at least a little after Tuesday. Thanksgiving Day travel along the highways to and from the coast, as well as inland, should be trouble free. There is a possibility the snow event may again take place on Friday.

More Oregon weather here. Oregon Coast weather here.

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