Expires:202401071200;Remove:202401071200;994811 WWUS86 KPQR 061154 SPSPQR Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Portland OR 354 AM PST Sat Jan 6 2024 ORZ001>008-010>016-WAZ019>022-039-040-045-046-071200- North Oregon Coast-Central Oregon Coast- Coast Range of Northwest Oregon- Central Coast Range of Western Oregon-Lower Columbia- Greater Portland Metro Area-Central Willamette Valley- South Willamette Valley-Northern Oregon Cascade Foothills- Northern Oregon Cascades-Cascade Foothills in Lane County- Cascades in Lane County-Upper Hood River Valley- Western Columbia River Gorge-Central Columbia River Gorge- South Washington Cascades-Willapa Hills-South Washington Coast-I- 5 Corridor in Cowlitz County-Greater Vancouver Area- South Washington Cascade Foothills- Including the cities of Astoria, Cannon Beach, Tillamook, Netarts, Pacific City, Lincoln City, Newport, Cape Foulweather, Yachats, Florence, Vernonia, Jewell, Sunset Summit, Lees Camp, Trask, Grand Ronde, Burnt Woods, Tidewater, Swisshome, Veneta, St. Helens, Clatskanie, Hillsboro, Portland, Wilsonville, Oregon City, Gresham, Troutdale, Salem, McMinnville, Woodburn, Stayton, Dallas, Eugene, Springfield, Corvallis, Albany, Lebanon, Sandy, Estacada, Silver Falls State Park, Sweet Home, Government Camp, Detroit, Santiam Pass, Vida, Jasper, Lowell, Cottage Grove, McKenzie Pass, McKenzie Bridge, Oakridge, Willamette Pass, Parkdale, Odell, Corbett, Rooster Rock, Multnomah Falls, Cascade Locks, Hood River, Coldwater Ridge Visitors Center, Mount St. Helens, Wind River Valley, Willapa, Frances, Elk Mountain, Ryderwood, Raymond, Long Beach, Ocean Park, Naselle, Cathlamet, Cape Disappointment, Longview, Kelso, Castle Rock, Vancouver, Battle Ground, Ridgefield, Washougal, Yacolt, Amboy, Toutle, Ariel, Lake Merwin, Yale Lake, Cougar, North Bonneville, Stevenson, Carson, and Underwood 354 AM PST Sat Jan 6 2024 ...A PROLONGED PERIOD OF HEAVY CASCADE SNOW IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY LIKELY JANUARY 9-11, 2024... ...AFTER A RELATIVELY MILD WINTER THUS FAR, THE POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR THE COLDEST TEMPERATURES OF THE SEASON JANUARY 12-15, 2024... An active weather pattern will impact the region over the next seven days or more as a series of storm systems brings additional rounds of valley rain and heavy Cascade snow. Heavy snow in the Cascades on Saturday, January 6th will become much lighter Sunday into Monday, January 7-8. However, snow will likely become heavy again in the Cascades on Tuesday, January 9th and then remain heavy much of the time through Thursday, January 11th. Given the prolonged period of heavy snow expected in the Cascades, total snow amounts are shaping up to be the highest so far this season. In fact, there is a 50-80% chance for 48-hour snow amounts in excess of 30 inches for elevations above 2000-2500 feet from 4 AM January 9th through 4 AM January 11th. Several inches of snow is also in the forecast for elevations above 2000 feet in the Coast Range. In addition, westerly winds will increase during that time with gusts to around 40 mph, except over 50-60 mph in the high Cascades. Anyone with travel plans over the Cascade passes and/or through the coastal mountains will need to be well prepared for dangerous travel conditions due to a combination of heavy snow and blowing snow. Beyond January 11th, the potential exists for the coldest temperatures of the season thus far across the region. However, "potential" is the key word here as forecast confidence is currently low. In fact, the warmest model solutions are showing temperatures several degrees above normal for this time of year while the coldest model solutions are showing temperatures over 20 degrees below normal. Nevertheless, the probability of below freezing overnight temperatures currently ranges between 50-70% across the lowlands of northwest Oregon and southwest Washington January 12-14, including the coast. With the potential for below freezing temperatures down to the valley floor, there is also a chance of accumulating lowland snow during that time. While the details remain unclear, it is worth monitoring the forecast for potential changes and additional information over the next several days. $$ TK