KEY POINTS

Heavy snow to continue in the Cascades and Cascade foothills into the weekend.
Snow levels will drop to near the valley floor early Friday.
Several inches expected in east Columbia River Gorge and Upper Hood River Valley through Friday.
Strong winds to produce high end Gale Force winds and hazardous seas across the coastal waters Friday.

Coast Range and Willapa Hills above 1500 feet

Impacts: Accumulating snow at elevations above 1000 feet.

Timing: Today through Friday afternoon

Confidence: Moderate to High

• Snow showers to continue Wednesday becoming heavy overnight into Thursday morning

• 3 to 5 inches likely starting Wednesday afternoon through Thursday afternoon between 1000-1500 ft

• Highest accumulations are expected in the Oregon Coast Range between Jewell and Eddyville

• Accumulations up to 10 inches possible across the highest terrain by Thursday afternoon.

• Snow showers will weaken Thursday but will bring another round of snow late Thursday night in Friday.

Impacts: Potential for river flooding in the Coast Range

Timing: Friday night into Saturday

Confidence: Low

• Band of heavy precipitation will form just offshore Friday night into Saturday if it shifts inland by 50 miles 1-2″ of rain are possible.

• Rapid rises on coastal rivers become possible.

Marine / Coastal

Impacts: Strong Gales and Hazardous Seas

Timing: Friday

Confidence: High

• Strong southerly winds will produce wind gusts 50-55 mph along beaches and headlands.

• Strong Gales expected ahead of a cold front Friday afternoon with wind gusts to at least 50 mph.

• Coastal jet will setup for a 2-3 hour period potentially reaching into Storm Force gusts near the surface right ahead of the front but

probabilities are low, less than 10% at this time.

• Seas will easily build into the mid to upper teens within the southerly winds producing Hazardous Seas into Friday night.

• 20-30% chance seas will build to 20 ft.

• A west, northwesterly swell will contribute in producing a chaotic sea state during this time.