Yesterday I wrote on this blog about the lack of precipitation we've seen this month. Looks like that's about to change. An unusually cool and damp system in now taking shape in the Gulf of Alaska.

The University of Washington's MM5 computer model brings the colder air into the Pacific Northwest Thursday night. Winter weather freaks, don't get to excited.This is not a big system. Locally Portland, may get anywhere from .20" to .33" of rain. What this system is not lacking is cold air. IT'S CHILLY. The MM5, is forcasting temperatures of 32 degrees Friday morning in the Cascades of Oregon and Washington. We could see snow levels down to 4000ft.

Even though its not very potent, I can hear the ski resort operators up and down the Cascade Mountains saying -WIPPEEE! The graphic above does shows snow is possible as low as 4000ft. The best accumulations will be above 5000ft.

Here at the big 8ski (insiders name for KGW) we always go crazy about the first mountain snow. You can bet we'll have a live truck stationed at Timberline Lodge awaiting the first flake... It's also tradition around here that coverage of that first snow goes to the rookie reporter. That means the newbie Katherine Cook, will be standing out in in cold and snow... Stand by for live pictures.

Dave

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