PORTLAND, Ore (KATU) — This holiday week finds itself nestled within an interesting winter season.
Following flooding and a low snowpack, it seems almost impossible for the weather to accommodate everyone’s different desires.
Snow sport enthusiasts desperately want it to snow at the ski resorts, while holiday travelers prefer the roads stay safe during holiday travel.
Many people also wish for a white Christmas, which will be a stretch for the Portland metro area.
However, Mother Nature is working in our favor with a compromise.
We have rain showers expected each day this week, the heaviest being Sunday night, Monday, into Monday night, and Tuesday night.
Two rain systems are coming from the south, bringing mild temperatures west of the Cascades. However, we’re simultaneously cooling things down in those mountain passes, with the snow level lowering to 3,000 feet. This means while we get rain around Portland, we will be seeing snow at the ski resorts.
As for Christmas, we are expecting clouds, possible sunbreaks and even the occasional rain showers. That evening will be cooler in Portland, with snow levels possibly dropping to 2,000 feet. This could mean a mix of snow and rain in the Portland West Hills late that evening, as well as other higher elevations.
While a mix of rain and snow will not bring us a classic white Christmas in Portland, it does mean we may be starting to bring those temperatures down enough to bring us hope for snow in Portland this upcoming winter season. As of now, the National Weather Service is predicting snow levels to remain low through next weekend. Perhaps there is hope for a dusting of white by New Year’s.
