Weather

Forecasters say Oregon could see a cool, wet winter

KLCC | By Chris M Lehman / KLCC

Published November 8, 2021 at 7:15 PM PST

Forecasters says low elevations in western Oregon have a better-than-average chance of seeing snow this winter, though they're not specifically predicting a storm like the one that hit Eugene in February 2019. — Forecasters says low elevations in western Oregon have a better-than-average chance of seeing snow this winter.

Forecasters say Oregon could be in store for a cooler and wetter than normal winter.

The Portland office of the National Weather Service held a briefing Friday on the winter weather outlook for emergency management officials of three coastal counties. The upshot: Oregon is expected to feel the effects of a "La Niña" weather pattern this winter.

For the coast, that likely means higher than normal waves, especially over the next couple of months. For the entire region, it could bring snow...at some point...maybe. That’s based on historical outcomes for "La Niñas," said Warning Condition Meteorologist Treena Jensen.

“It’s hard to say with any confidence or skill how much snow," said Jensen. "But it looks like there’s a greater likelihood the low elevations could see a snow event this winter.”

Snow or not, Jensen said the wet weather could be enough to lift some western Oregon counties out of their current drought conditions.