Update: Oregon wind warnings give way to flooding and mountain snow alerts
Update at 1 p.m. Tuesday
While high winds and power outages will remain the primary concern until about 4 p.m. Tuesday afternoon, the next hazard for travelers will be minor flooding on the Coast and heavy snow in the Cascade Mountains.
Additional rain, which turns heavy again on Thursday and Friday, should bring river levels up and a few flood-prone streams such as the Marys, Siletz and Tualatin rivers could reach action or minor stages. However, no major or widespread flooding is forecast.
The Willamette River in Salem is expected to crest at about about 19 feet on Sunday — meaning it will be very high but not at action or flood stages that tend to bring heavier impact.
Higher in the mountains, however, travel could become more challenging. A winter storm warning remains in effect through Wednesday for snowfall totaling 8 to 15 inches on Oregon's highest Cascade Range summits including Santiam Pass (Highway 20) and Willamette Pass (Highway 58). Additional mountain snow is expected late in the week, turning to lighter snow by the weekend.
The snow mainly falling above 4,000 feet, but also includes high winds gusting up to 65 mph through early Wednesday.
Snow continues through late in the week and into the weekend, but the weather could mellow out enough for skiers to head the slopes.
Likewise, those in the valley will find ideal waterfall-hunting conditions over the weekend after the rain gives them some extra power but temperatures are warm enough to make travel to places such as Silver Falls State Park safe.
Update 9:45 a.m. Tuesday
Strong winds have caused power outages throughout the Willamette Valley and thousands of people are reportedly impacted.
Portland General Electric is reporting more than 230 outages across Marion County. Most are caused by high winds, according to the company's outage map.
More than 10,000 people have been impacted by outages in Silverton as of 8:30 a.m. Tuesday and roughly 1,500 people in Mt. Angel are without power.
PGE said crews are being dispatched "as quickly as safety allows."
Salem Electric has not received reports of outages in its network as of 9:30 a.m. Tuesday but will update its Facebook page if it does, a spokesperson said.
Original story:
The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory from 2 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday in anticipation of south winds increasing Monday night into early morning, with sustained winds of 20 to 30 mph and gusts of 45 to 55 mph anticipated.
National Weather Service forecasters said they expect the strongest winds will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday. Some gusts may get up to 60 mph in higher terrain.
Unsecured objects and tree limbs could be blown around, and the NWS urged extra caution while driving, especially high-profile vehicles.
The high winds will affect the central and south Willamette Valley, as well as lower Columbia, the greater Portland metro area and Vancouver, Washington.
Heavy rain expectedOregon thaws, but heavy rain to bring flood risk, high winds, closed ski areas
Power outages also could occur as a result of the high winds.
Pacific Power said wind will work it's way north along the coast overnight with high winds likely in the Willamette Valley and the Portland area by Tuesday morning.
The utility urged residents to check on their emergency outage kits, keep mobile devices charged and revisit family storm preparation plans.
Residents should have the following handy in case of power outages:
Flashlights
Battery-operated radio and clocks
Extra batteries
Non-perishable foods
Manual can opener
Bottled water
Blankets
Contact reporter Miranda Cyr at mcyr@registerguard.com or find her on Twitter @mirandabcyr.
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Update: Oregon wind warnings give way to flood and snow alerts
