Record dry stretch comes to an end in Portland, rain and snow on the way
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- The long stretch of sunny and dry weather comes to an end on Thursday as clouds increase and Portland prepares for rain and potential valley snow.
The previous record for total consecutive days with no accumulative rain was 17 days in 1948. That record was tied on Wednesday in Portland.
Mostly cloudy skies on Thursday will keep temperatures cooler than average with highs in the low to mid-40s.
A weak atmospheric river could be the end of Portland's record-breaking chances of the longest January dry stint. Soaking rains are expected to ramp up just after midnight across western Oregon and southwest Washington. Shower may start to trickle into the Portland just before midnight. Friday will be a soggy, mild, and breezy day around the Willamette Valley.
Wind gusts could near almost 20-25 mph along the Willamette Valley on Friday. Rain accumulation will close in at nearly three-quarters of an inch for the valley and close to an inch and a half for the coast.
Friday's atmospheric river won't be warm enough to prevent mountain snow. The National Weather Service out of Portland has issued a Winter Storm Watch for the Cascades above 3,000 feet. Heavy mountain snow will impact travel from Thursday evening through Saturday afternoon. Nearly 6-15 inches of snow is expected to fall with this latest round of moisture.
A wintry mix of rain and snow is possible along the Willamette Valley starting late Saturday night through early next week. Colder temperatures will clash with available moisture as brief and spotty snow showers are likely. Any accumulation is expected to be low as melting on the roadways happens rather rapidly.
Rain chances will start to fade on Sunday as a wintry mix continues for much of western Oregon and southwest Washington through next week.
A KOIN 6 Weather Alert goes into place on Monday due to the chance of snow and a prolonged chance of near-freezing temperatures. The extent of the colder weather could give way to more snow potentially sticking in some locations early next week.
The forecast continues to change as this latest winter weather potential near the Pacific Northwest. Stay with the KOIN 6 Weather Team for the latest updates as February begins.