PORTLAND, Ore. — Parts of the Oregon Coast and Willamette Valley will see high winds and heavy rain starting late Tuesday afternoon and continuing overnight, adding to the regional bout of severe weather as the Cascades gets hit with the first major snowstorm of the season.
KGW has issued a Weather Impact Alert until 10 p.m. Monday for the Cascades, followed by another alert for the Portland area from 4 p.m. Tuesday to 4 p.m. Wednesday.
The Tuesday night weather will be driven by a storm forming a "bomb cyclone" phenomenon over the ocean to the west of the Pacific Northwest, according to KGW chief meteorologist Matt Zaffino, with the eastern edge of it clipping the Oregon and Washington coasts.
Portland and I-5 corridor
The National Weather Service (NWS) Portland office has issued a Wind Advisory for the entire Willamette Valley and all cities within it, as well as all areas to the north along the Interstate 5 corridor as far as Kelso and Longview. The advisory begins at 4 p.m. Tuesday and continues through 4 a.m. Wednesday.
The Portland metro area and the rest of the region can expect 20-30 mph south winds with gusts of up to 45 mph. The gusty winds will cause unsecured objects such as garbage cans to get blown around, the NWS warned, and urged residents to secure them in advance.
The winds could also bring down tree limbs, potentially causing a few power outages. Drivers are urged to use extra caution, particularly if they're in high-profile vehicles.
Heavy rain can also be expected Tuesday night in the valley and the Columbia River Gorge, according to KGW meteorologist Rod Hill, bringing a chance for sharp rises in area streams and rivers.
At the Oregon coast
The NWS has issued a High Wind Warning for the entire Oregon Coast and coastal portions of Pacific County in Southwest Washington for the same time period, 4 p.m. Tuesday through 4 a.m. Wednesday. South winds will blow at 25-35 mph and are expected to reach sustained speeds of 40 mph in beaches and headland areas, with gusts of 60 mph expected.
Damaging winds are likely to bring down trees and power lines, the NWS said, and urged people to avoid being outside in forested areas or near trees, and to try to stay in the lower levels of their homes and away from windows during the windstorm. Vehicle travel will be difficult, the agency said.
The National Weather Service Medford office has also issued a Hurricane Force Wind Warning for offshore areas along the southern Oregon Coast south of Florence from 10 a.m. Tuesday to 7 a.m. Wednesday, with winds of 50-60 knots and gusts hitting up to 70 knots, which is about 80 mph.
"Extremely strong winds and very steep and mountainous seas will likely capsize or damage vessels," the agency wrote, urging mariners to keep their vessels in port. "Near zero visibility expected. Bars will become impassable."
In the Cascades
A Winter Storm Warning is in effect through 10 p.m. Monday in the Cascades and Cascade Foothills, with the NWS warning of heavy snowfall in areas above 2,000 feet. Snow is also likely at areas above 1,500 feet, and more than two feet of snow is expected to fall at the various Mt. Hood ski resorts, and more than 8 inches at pass level.
"On paper this looks to be the wildest stretch of weather in terms of consecutive days we've had," Hill said. "It's certainly the biggest snow storm at pass level up in the Cascades happening right now that we have had so far this fall."
Traction tires or chains will likely be necessary for drivers heading through Mount Hood Pass, with Oregon Department of Transportation cameras showing snow on the roads all along the route. The NWS warned of slippery road conditions and suggested postponing travel if possible.
What are Weather Impact Alert days?
It’s our goal to make sure you have the most accurate and up-to-date information about the weather and its impact on you. The new KGW Weather Impact Alerts will be just that, alerts as far in advance as possible, so that you can be armed with accurate information to keep yourself and your family safe.
