The only difference between adventure and disaster is preparedness.

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Low Elevation Snow 12/19/12 Morning

Excerpted information below from the National Weather Service:

Another storm system will move into the region early Wednesday morning and bring another threat of low elevation snow.  The snow in the valley will begin late tonight and persist through about 9am before turning to all rain.  Snow will persist all day in the Upper Hood River Valley and Cascades and most of the day in the Columbia River Gorge.

Tomorrow’s weather system is a little different than today’s as we expect more continuous precipitation as the front moves in off the Pacific and draws cold air through the Columbia River Gorge into the northern Willamette Valley/Lower Columbia region.    


• SYNOPSIS:

o A storm system will move into the region from the Pacific bringing precipitation to the area and some high winds to the coast. As the storm approaches, it will initially draw cold air through the Columbia River Gorge that will support snow levels lowering to the valley floor late tonight through 9am Wednesday morning. The precipitation with this storm will overrun the cold air coming out of the Columbia River Gorge resulting in some low elevation snow in the Gorge, northern Willamette Valley and Lower Columbia region.

o Valley locations north of Wilsonville have the potential to get 1 to 2 inches of snow in the early morning hours. The Columbia River Gorge will see snow most of the day as well as the elevated terrain of the Coast Range, Foothills and Cascades.


• PRIMARY AREAS IMPACTED & TIMING:

o Northern Willamette Valley/Lower Columbia: Snow accumulations of 1 to 2 inches are possible after midnight to around 9am Wednesday from Wilsonville to the Kelso/Longview region. Some outlying areas in higher elevations may see up to 3 inches of snow. After 9am, the precipitation will turn to all rain.


• IMPACTS:

o Some snow accumulation likely affecting travel in the valley areas during the morning commute, north of Wilsonville to the Kelso/Longview area.

o Snow causing slow travel across passes in the Coast Range and Cascades.

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