Snow continues to pile up in Cascades, powerful storm headed for Pacific Northwest

On By Littum

PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — A Storm Tracker 2 weather alert remains in effect for the Oregon Coast Range and Cascade mountain passes. Heavy snow is falling in the Cascades and over a foot of new snow has fallen at Government Camp in the last 24 hours.

“Snow levels will remain low enough to accumulate more snow in the foothills and mountain passes when the next weather system rolls in Tuesday afternoon into Tuesday night,” said Storm Tracker 2 meteorologist Rhonda Shelby. “Travelers in the Cascades should continue to be prepared for extreme winter conditions at times.”

The winter storm warning is scheduled to expire at 10 p.m. Monday evening. The National Weather Service says heavy snow above 2000 feet with additional accumulations of 10 to 15 inches. “Travel may be very difficult to impossible. The hazardous conditions may affect Monday morning and evening commutes,” NWS Portland said.

On Tuesday, a strong Pacific storm will take aim to the northwest, bringing the potential for strong coastal winds and gusty easterly winds around the Portland area.

“I expect that there will be several places around our region that will experience greater impact and possibly damaging wind gusts tomorrow. Coastal southerly gusts in the storm could reach 60-65 mph along the beaches; and 80+ offshore. North Central Oregon and Central Oregon will be in the prime area to receive southerly wind gusts near 60 mph tomorrow afternoon or evening,” Shelby said. “Gorge residents will be the recipient of a strong easterly wind in response to the strong low pressure just off our coastline. Gusts could reach 40-45 mph from anywhere from Multnomah Falls to The Dalles.”

High-resolution weather models have suggested some areas could see strong easterly gusts, depending on the final track of the low pressure center, Shelby added.

Storm Tracker 2 Meteorologist Dave Salesky will have the latest forecast at 5 p.m. on KATU’s Digital Edition, at 8 p.m. after Monday Night Football and on KATU News at 23.00