Mt. Hood Skibowl will open at least one lift on Friday, and according to meteorologists, copious mountain snow is expected over the weekend.

KGW

Mount Hood.

Depending on how much snow Skibowl receives Thursday night, one or more lifts will open Friday at 3 p.m., operations manager Hans Wipper told KGW.

Mt. Hood Meadows and Timberline ski areas are open with limited operations -- both have several lifts open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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Between seven and 12 inches of snow fell in the Cascades Wednesday night, said KGW meteorologist Dave Salesky. Another couple inches can be expected Thursday night, but Saturday will be the most eventful day, with abundant snowfall on Mt. Hood and snow in the coast range and Gorge as well, he said.

Skiers, snowboarders and other snow enthusiasts will be well-advised to take advantage of the snow this weekend, according to Salesky, because Mt. Hood could lose a lot of its snow pack by Monday.

A wet and warm weather system was expected to arrive Monday or Tuesday, raising the snow and river levels.