End of week snow a possibility for Western Oregon and Southwest Washington

By Amelia Templeton (OPB)
Feb. 8, 2021 2 p.m.

Forecasters say there’s a chance of snow or freezing rain at low elevations in western Oregon and southwest Washington later this week.

Some models suggest that the arctic air causing storms on the East Coast could push over the top of the Rocky Mountains and make its way to the Northwest this week.

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However, the complex topography of the mountain range makes it difficult to model whether that cold air will stop at the Rockies or push farther west and bring the chance of snow.

The Beaverton School District and several others are closed Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018, after snow blanketed the Portland metro area the previous night.

A playground in the Beaverton School District after snow blanketed the Portland area Feb. 21, 2018.

Arya Surowidjojo / OPB

“This is as good as it’s looked all winter five days out,” said Colby Newman, meteorologist with the National Weather Service Portland office. “It doesn’t mean it will happen, but we haven’t been looking at this cold of air getting here all winter long.”

While some weather apps may be showing snow flurries as early as Sunday night, Newman said the cold front isn’t likely to arrive until at least Wednesday.

People should consider prepping an emergency kit if they plan to travel, and get snow tires or chains ready in case the winter weather does materialize later in the week.

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