PORTLAND, Oregon — A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for elevations above 3,000 feet in the northern Oregon and the south Washington Cascades until Saturday night.
As the winter season arrives and the temperatures get colder, Oregonians will likely hear more weather terminology like Winter Storm Warning and Winter Storm Watch. This year, the National Weather Service (NWS) made changes to its criteria for winter storm warnings.
The standards for watches and warnings are determined by snowfall thresholds. Before a winter storm watch or warning is issued, a specific amount of snow must be predicted to fall in an area.
Below is a look at the NWS's updated snow amounts for some of the regions around Oregon:
- Greater Portland metro area: 3 inches
- Central and South Willamette Valley: 3 inches
- Northern Oregon Cascade foothills: 4 inches
- Lower Columbia Basin: 4 inches
- North Oregon coast: 3 inches
- Northwest Oregon coast range: 4 inches
- South central Oregon coast: 4 inches
Below is the NWS interactive map below. You can zoom in and out and click on an area to view its updated snow criteria.
The NWS issues a Winter Storm Warning usually 12 to 24 hours before snow, heavy freezing rain or heavy sleet begins. Winter Storm Watches are typically issued 12-48 hours before the start of a storm to alert the public about the possibility of a blizzard, heavy snow, heavy freezing rain or heavy sleet.
PHOTOS: Snow in Clark County, Columbia Gorge
Flooding possible west of the Cascades
As several atmospheric rivers bring heavy rainfall to the Pacific Northwest in the next few days, a Flood Watch is in effect for much of northwestern Oregon until Tuesday afternoon. The NWS issues flood watches when conditions are hazardous, and flooding is possible.
The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) shared an interactive dashboard showing the flood activity around the state. The dashboard shows a three-day and eight-day projection, with gages indicating which areas they anticipate to see flooding.
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