Maps and more Observations

First off I'd like to start off with the Canadian Model .....click to enlarge

Thats a good chunk of cold air right over the NW. I havn't seen that all winter on that model so thats a good sign..but what also catches my eye on the same model...

Notice a good chunk of that arctic air (blue shade) head down towards the PacNW..could this mean a reimbursement? View a complete animation of the model here and see for yourself.

Now lets check out the 18z GFS 850mb Temps:
This is at Hour 54. Look at the -15 settled in Eastern Oregon..pretty impressive. Ok now lets check out some observations from places around the NW:

Bellingham Washington:

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Spokane Washington:

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Seattle Washington:

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The Dalles, Oregon

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Pendleton, Oregon

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Portland, Oregon

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Salem, Oregon

alt="Click for Salem, Oregon Forecast" height=60 width=468>

--Ok, I will get into more detailed discussion around 9 PM tonight after the new model runs and discussions come through...

24 Hours to go...

Ok, so this is my first post for this event. Im going to track the storm and post my thoughts and observations throughout this Arctic Event within the next couple of days. Im pretty excited for our first chance to see really cold air filter through the area. As you know, or should know, the perfect setup will occur that will allow a bunch of cold modified arctic air on the east side of the state filter throughout the NW interrior of Oregon starting Sunday Afternoon/Evening. I was hoping for a snow event before the arctic air but that didn't happen. Looking at observations it looks like the freezing level is at 2,000ft in NW Oregon (Coast Range) Current temp here in McMinnville is 40.8 round it off to 41 degrees F at 3:24 PM. Dewpoint is 38 while a SE wind blows at 5-12mph. So everything is looking right on track, don't mind the cold rain for now. Here's some links to enjoy:

Western Weather USA Forum Tracking the Cold

National Weather Service Forecast Discussion for PDX.

Mark Nelsen's Weather Blog (KPTV OREGON)

Next Update 6:00 PM Tonight.