Major winter storm won’t hit Oregon, but cold weather advisory in effect

A major winter storm has been forecast to spread heavy snow and ice across much of the United States. And while the storm won’t reach Oregon, the Beaver State is in for some of the coldest weather of the season.

The National Weather Service forecasts cold weather and potential cold weather advisories beginning Jan. 23 and lasting through Jan. 27, with widespread morning low temperatures near to below freezing.

The Salem area is under a cold weather advisory until Jan. 24 at noon. The region saw overnight lows that felt like 20 degrees at times due to wind chill earlier in the week.

But don’t count on snow in Marion and Polk counties any time soon. That’s because Oregon is in the midst of an unusually dry winter. Even though it’s cold enough to snow, it’s been nearly two weeks since the region has seen measurable rainfall.

It’ll likely remain dry for the next few days.

Still, there is an 80-95% chance for cold weather advisory conditions west of the Cascades, excluding the coast, and a 60-80% chance within the Greater Portland-Metro area, the weather service said in a release.

These conditions could see apparent temperatures at or below 25 degrees for four or more hours between Friday, Jan. 23, and Saturday, Jan. 24.

Areas of the Willamette Valley, Cowlitz and Columbia Valleys, and the Portland/Vancouver metros have a 20-40% chance of a Cold Weather advisory between the evening of Jan. 24 and the morning of Jan. 25.

Oregon could also experience “cold pockets” with temperatures at or below 25°F for up to three hours overnight and into the morning hours of Sunday, Jan. 25.

The weather service warned that the houseless could be impacted the most if they are unable to get to adequate heating. Frostbite and hypothermia are also dangers to pets and people not dressed appropriately for the cold weather.

For updated weather alerts, Oregonians can visit the weather service website at www.weather.gov.

Ginnie Sandoval is the Oregon Connect reporter for the Statesman Journal. Sandoval can be reached at GSandoval@statesmanjournal.com or on X at @GinnieSandoval.