Winter storm advisory in place for parts of Oregon, Washington: Monday weather forecast
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Parts of the Pacific Northwest braced for a winter storm Monday as the National Weather Service forecast heavy snowfall and strong winds in some areas.
Winter storm and winter weather advisories were issued for northwestern Oregon and parts of southeastern Washington. Officials said the snow is expected to blanket the region beginning through mid-day Tuesday.
On top of an expected six to 11 inches of snow in areas above 2,000 feet (two to seven inches below 2,000 feet), the NWS warned of wind gusts as high as 40 mph in some parts. Officials strongly cautioned against travel in some areas, such as Medford, Oregon.
Portland, under a winter weather advisory, expects to receive around half an inch of snowfall late Monday night into Tuesday morning. Officials urged residents to drive with caution as they expected slippery road conditions.
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Thunderstorms and showers in the Plains
Stormy weather will fan out across the western United States and a low pressure system in the Central and Southern Plains will pound the region with thunderstorms and showers Monday, the weather service said.
The eastern half of the country will see "unseasonably mild and mostly tranquil” weather starting Monday as a low pressure system responsible for recent dreary weather drifts off the East Coast into the Atlantic Ocean, the weather service said. Much of the Southeast got heavy rains and strong winds late last week.
Winter weather in northeast expected to lighten up
The NWS said snow in the Appalachians, which stretch from the upper Northeast down to Alabama, would largely die down to kick off the week. Winter weather advisories had been in effect throughout the region last week, with snow accumulations reaching more than 7 inches in Maine.
A winter weather advisory cautioning up to an inch of sleet, snow and freezing rain for parts of Virginia and southeastern West Virginia was set to lift at midnight early Monday.
Temperatures are expected to rebound across most of the eastern half of the country Monday, the NWS said.
Expected highs on Monday and Tuesday:
Interior Northeast/New England/Upper Great Lakes: 30s to 40s range
Lower Great Lakes/Ohio Valley/Mid-Atlantic: 50s to 60s range
Southeast: 60s to 70s range
High wind advisories in effect in Northern Texas, New Mexico
The NWS said wind gusts in the Southern Plains, north Texas and eastern New Mexico are expected to reach 65 mph and higher Monday night into Tuesday.
“People should avoid being outside in forested areas and around trees and branches,” the NWS office in Midland/Odessa Texas said in its advisory. “If possible, remain in the lower levels of your home during the windstorm, and avoid windows. Use caution if you must drive.”
Officials also cautioned drivers of commercial vehicles, like semi-trucks, which can be knocked over by strong gusts.
National weather radar
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Monday weather forecast: Winter storm arrives in Oregon, Washington
