Snow expected early this week is a reminder that winter is not over in Central Oregon. On Sunday, the National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning that will remain in effect for the eastern slopes of the Cascades through Wednesday.
A series of storms from the Gulf of Alaska brought moisture over the Cascades starting on Sunday, according to the weather service website. Snow levels are forecast to be approximately 1,000 feet above sea level on Monday and then increase in the following days, with the greatest snow accumulation at elevations higher than 4,000 feet.
In Bend today, the forecast is for mixed rain and snow throughout the day, with accumulation of approximately one inch possible, according to the National Weather Service. After an expected high temperature of 40 degrees today, daytime temperatures will likely increase to the mid to high 40s for the rest of the week. Overnight low temperatures are expected to be in the 20s through much of the week.
The forecast is milder in Madras, where the weather service expects less than a half-inch of snow to accumulate today. Rain will likely begin tonight, but there could be a break from the precipitation Tuesday night and Wednesday. Madras is expected to have high temperatures in the 40s and overnight lows in the 20s to low 30s all week.
In Prineville, the National Weather Service expects less than one inch of snow to accumulate today. Prineville is also expected to have overnight lows in the 20s and daytime highs in the 40s. The high on Thursday could reach 50 degrees.
