Winter 2017 keeps on delivering! A skier at Mt. Hood Meadows blasts through the light powder. Image courtesy Mt. Hood Meadows
POWDER ALERT for Wednesday, February 1, 2017
We’re back in snow mode after a few days of dry weather. While the valleys contend with snow and freezing rain, there are some good conditions coming to the mountains of Oregon for the upcoming weekend.
The best days will be Friday and Monday. I realize that’s not ideal timing, but the snow level will be lowest on those days and the snow will be fluffiest. Northern Oregon should see 4-8 inches of new snow Thursday night into Friday. There are strong east winds in the passes and it will be cold with temperatures in the teens, so dress warmly. Southern Oregon will also see 4-8 inches of new snow but the snow level will be a little higher, around 5,000 feet over the weekend. Central Oregon should again be in the sweet spot with 6-12 inches of new snow and the snow level staying below 4,000 feet.
Saturday and Sunday bring somewhat higher snow levels, around 4,000 feet in the Cascades but a bit lower in Eastern Oregon. But there’s good news embedded here. First, it’s basically going to snow all weekend, so there should be fresh tracks to find at every turn. Second, and don’t underestimate this, Sunday is Super Bowl Sunday! One of my favorite ski days of the year, since so many people are watching the game and not on the slopes.
On Monday, the snow level drops again, as another 5-10 inches of powder stacks up. Colder air drops the snow level back down to about 2,500 feet, and then lower on Tuesday - 1,000 feet - as the snow continues. So conditions should become really choice again early next week, in this epically choice winter that just keeps going!
Powder Picks: Friday, Sunday, Tuesday, with Monday a close second.
Enjoy the weekend and Happy Trails!
Matt Zaffino
KGW TV Chief Meteorologist
