PORTLAND, Ore — Increasing showers this morning followed by steady rain this afternoon and into this evening as a strong cold front arrives into Portland and Salem before the midnight hour. South to southwest winds will pick up, becoming gusty this evening in the valley 15-30 mph and to 40 or higher along the coast. Gorge winds will be gusty behind the front, west to 35 mph Saturday.
The front will bring impressive moisture with 3-day rain totals exceeding 2.00" at the coast and over an inch in the valley.
A Winter Storm Warning for the Cascades begins at 5:00 pm today and extends through the day Sunday for 20-30" of snowfall. The Coast Range will also see snow later tonight above 1,000 feet and potentially over all elevations Saturday night and Sunday morning. Coast Range elevations near and above 1,000' could see 6" of snow. Brief low snow spots will be possible in the valley Sunday and Monday mornings.
In the Portland Metro area, it's possible we mix some snowflakes in with any rain showers Sunday morning and again into Monday. Sticking snow will generally hold above 500' but will keep a close eye. PDX will bottom out in the mid or upper 30s each morning. Showers become less numerous Monday and Tuesday.
Also, Saturday and Sunday numerous showers will bring hail and possible rumbles of thunder.
Meteorologist Rod Hill, connect with me on FB
KGW Weather Team
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