It's always tough to get a real, old-fashioned snowstorm here in the Northwest. Getting that right combination of ample moisture and cold air can seem impossible, especially for a frustrated snow lover. =) But we did get just enough moisture overnight and this morning, combined with the cold air, that some snow showers were falling.

Most places that got some snow in the city only got some light accumulations - but it was still a pleasant sight for many this morning. Although for school administrators, I'm sure it was more of a headache than anything else!

Shot of the snow by Wilson High School around 4am today, courtesy Herman Wolff

Personally, I got a decent shot of snow out in Hillsboro last night. Although I didn't get home from work until after midnight, it seemed a perfect time to lay on the bed and stare outside at the snowflakes floating on down. There's something about it that is so serene and peaceful. Accumulation-wise, we got about half an inch overnight. Nothing major - just enough. =)

Joe

Posted by KGW Meteorologist Joe Michaels at 11:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (7)

Our typically mild winter weather is about to be pushed out of here - by an arctic airmass!

High temperatures today actually reached into the lower 40s, but the winds are beginning to pick up out of the east. That easterly wind - what's a warm wind in the summer - is a very cold wind this time of year. In fact, the Gorge will essentially become a wind tunnel that will allow cold arctic air to spill into the valleys west of the Cascades.

Still, record temperatures aren't anticipated - the record low on Tuesday morning is 9 degrees, and the forecast low is 21. Daytime highs to start the week will be near the freezing mark.

Stay warm!

Joe

Posted by KGW Meteorologist Joe Michaels at 6:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)

What's that...what won't stop? The snow! There has been an amazing stretch of snowy weather in the Cascades over the past few weeks, and it continues.

The base at Timberline is already well over 100 inches, and we're going to add to it - significantly - over the next 48 hours. Another strong winter storm is expected to barrel through the Northwest, and that means more mountain snow. In fact, by this time Wednesday morning, there could be three more feet of snow in the Cascades!

Photo Courtesy WideRange Galleries and Jack Brauer

All this may be good news for skiers and boarders, but it looks like the Cascade passes will stay quite snowy over the next few days, too. So keep the chains handy!

Joe

Posted by KGW Meteorologist Joe Michaels at 5:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (8)