Snow Updates... Monday PM - Tuesday AM

Lowland Snow 

12/17-12/18

Dusting of Snow in Oregon City
(via Jeff Raetz)

(8:40pm) Snow is now falling across parts of the metro area, as temps at the lower elevations are hovering around 35, with locations at or around 1000' hitting 32. The cold air over our area following last night's wind is allowing for only limited moisture, and most showers will be spotty. Perfect example is from just a few miles south in Oregon City (550'), a quick hitting shower produced a dusting. Lets take a look at the current radar and KPTV tower temps, which give us a good idea of where the freezing level is across Portland

These are the tower temps as of 7:00pm, the freezing level is hovering around 1000 feet, but freezing level and snow level, can differ greatly. That's why the forecast for tonight, while the likeliest locations for sticking snow are 500-1000' and up, anywhere could see a trace-1".

 

This is the current radar image as of 8:55 pm. As you can see, showers are scattered in nature, and will continue to be that way throughout the night. Shower activity, if it were to increase would likely be from midnight to sunrise (per the NWS). Please add all reports of snow, temps, etc in the comments. and I will be updating this throughout the night.

(12:21 am) It is currently looking like my original forecast will be right, showers are very spotty and temps at lower elevations (below 500') are still above freezing (around 35 F)... Places in the hills have seen some accumulations, and continue to expect that throughout the night. The reason we're not cooling off and more despite cold air aloft is the light southerly wind in the area. This ALWAYS prevents snow at the lowest elevations, as it keeps it just warm enough. Due to that ice in the am will not be a huge problem, but it may be spotty and could be slick as you go up in elevation or in the typical cold pockets. I will be breifly updating this when I check again...

(1:41 am) ALOT more shower activity picking up out offshore and into the coast range, most impressive radar returns of the night. I'm expecting around 2:30-4:00am to be our best shot at snow nearly anywhere, as these showers seem strong enough to pull the snow level down the extra bit needed. As you can see below, precip is really picking up to our west, so I wouldn't rule out a quick trace-inch anywhere 

(4:06 AM) Pretty good wet snow falling right now here, radar continues to look good and the temp is down to 34.0.. Nothing sticking yet but it will at this rate. Higher hills likely have snow on the ground now