PORTLAND, Ore. — If you live in the Portland, Vancouver and Salem metro areas, you will likely see much colder weather next week, and with it, another possibility of snow on the ground.
KGW meteorologist Rod Hill is tracking the back side of a cold front that has the potential to bring snow to scattered spots across the metro area and significant snowfall over the Cascade Mountains and the Oregon coast range.
While weather models can change multiple times each day and it's too early to determine the exact timeline, here is what next week's forecast shows, as of Friday morning.
Dropping snow levels
A cold front will arrive Tuesday morning, bringing rain and breezy northwest winds. Snow levels for sticking snow will begin at 3,000 feet and then will lower to 1,500 feet by early Tuesday evening, according to Hill.
By Wednesday morning, snow levels will lower near sea level. People in the Willamette Valley and southwest Washington could wake up to snow on the ground. Low-level snow accumulation will be limited, Hill said, but a dusting up to two inches is possible. Snow coverage may be scattered, like the region saw on Valentine's Day. High temperatures in the valley will remain in the 30s throughout the day, meaning snow could stick to the ground at times.
What could happen on Thursday is unclear at this point.
"This is where the forecast becomes in question, as a small surface low and the Arctic boundary nearby may gather moisture and keep an active snow shower pattern alive," Hill said. " On the other hand, the drying impact of an east wind could bring sun breaks and simple flurries."
Depending on the wind speed, the Portland metro could see temperatures near 20 degrees Thursday morning and daytime highs may struggle to reach 32 degrees, according to Hill.
Snowfall potential in the Cascades, coast range
Tuesday night will bring heavy snowfall over the Cascade Mountains and the Oregon coast range.
Mount Hood is expected to see a total of two feet of snow. The coast range could see up to a foot of snow cover.
KGW will continue to monitor the forecast, so check back for updates over the next couple of days.
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