A long-range forecast says heavy rain, high-elevation snow and strong winds could impact Oregon and the Pacific Northwest during the busy Christmas travel period.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued a “hazards risk” for the Dec. 24 to 28 period that includes potential impacts for anyone traveling.

“Travel conditions may be negatively impacted by unsettled weather,” NOAA said in a statement.

The concern is fueled by forecasts for a low pressure system that could develop into an atmospheric river or “bomb cyclone.”

Prepare for rainy, windy Christmas travel in Oregon

National Weather Service meteorologist Noah Alviz said the key message is to be prepared and watch the forecast before hitting the road around Christmas.

“Right now there is moderate confidence,” or about 40-60% chance of a major impact, Alviz said. “The key point to take home is that if you’re on the Oregon Coast or Coast Range, to prepare for possible flooding, and if you’re traveling over the Cascades, to prepare for winter weather.”

Bomb cyclone or atmospheric river could create flooding in Pacific Northwest

Days to watch for heavy precipitation in the Northwest — and possible mountain snow — include Dec. 24 and Dec. 25-28, NOAA said.

In Oregon, long-range forecasts are trending toward the weather being warmer than normal, which could indicate a greater threat for flooding than snow, Alviz said.

“We’re into a wet pattern, with rivers gradually rising, so if we end up with another low-pressure system, bomb cyclone or atmospheric river, that could lead to some flooding,” he said. “But people will just have to stay turned on that and make sure to keep an eye out.”

NOAA echoed that sentiment.

“Please stay tuned to shorter-term forecasts, as specific impacts remain unclear for any given location at this extended forecast range,” the alert said.

Zach Urness has been an outdoors reporter in Oregon for 16 years and is host of the Explore Oregon Podcast. To support his work, subscribe to the Statesman Journal. He can be reached at zurness@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 399-6801. Find him on Twitter at @ZachsORoutdoors.

The Oregon Ducks have lost another player to the transfer portal as the team prepares for the College Football Playoff.

Per reports from On3’s Pete Nakos on Monday, Oregon defensive back Khamari Terrell has entered the portal after three seasons with the Ducks. It’s unclear if Terrell will remain with the team during the CFP as some players that have entered the portal for playoff teams are sticking around for the postseason.

Originally a four-star prospect in the 2022 recruiting class from Shoemaker High School in Killeen, Texas, Terrell was a playmaker on both sides of the ball as well as a dynamic returner on special teams. He received offers from programs like Clemson, USC, Baylor, Mississippi State, LSU, Florida, Missouri and more. The Ducks offered him in Jan. 2022. He committed to Oregon during his official visit later that month before officially signing with the team in Feb. 2022. He also took official visits with Baylor and Mississippi State.

According to 247Sports’ rankings, Terrell was the No. 29 cornerback in the class and the No. 36 overall player in the state of Texas.

During his freshman year in 2022, Terrell appeared in 10 of 13 games, mostly as a contributor on special teams. He posted a career-high seven total tackles that season.

In 2023, he continued to primarily have a role on special teams before finishing the campaign with six total tackles.

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Oregon has now seen the portal departures of Terrell, safety Tyler Turner, offensive tackle JacQawn McRoy and edge rushers Emar’rion Winston, Jaedon Moore and Jaxson Jones. On the flip side, the Ducks have added two defensive backs in Purdue transfer Dillon Thieneman and Northwestern transfer Theran Johnson. The new roster additions will of course continue to start rolling in once the Ducks officially begin their offseason.

But first, Oregon will face off against the winner of Ohio State and Tennessee at the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day. If the Ducks can win that game, they would advance to the Semifinals in Arlington, Texas, to play the winner of Arizona State vs. Texas/Clemson at AT&T Stadium.

The Ducks will be taking their 13-0 record and Big Ten Championship hardware into the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff. This marks Oregon’s second appearance in the CFP since debuting in the first season of the four-team playoff in 2014. The Ducks made it to the National Championship that season but fell short to the Ohio State Buckeyes, led by Cardale Jones and Ezekiel Elliott.

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One of the biggest needs for the Oregon Ducks to fill this offseason is at the offensive tackle position, with one and potentially two starting spots to fill after the 2024 season is over.

Dan Lanning and Co. are working hard to fill that need with an elite prospect, too. According to On3’s Hayes Fawcett, former Nevada Wolfpack offensive tackle Isaiah World placed the Ducks among his final three schools that he is considering, alongside the Nebraska Cornhuskers and Texas A&M Aggies.

World is the No. 1 ranked offensive tackle in the portal, and the No. 20 overall player. Standing at 6-foot-8, 320 pounds, World is a massive body that has played left tackle for the Wolfpack.

Should he end up committing to the Ducks, it would be interesting to see which side of the line he plays on. At the moment, we know that right tackle Ajani Cornelius is graduating after this year, and there is a chance that left tackle Josh Conerly Jr. will declare for the NFL Draft after a career season that saw him named an Associated Press third-team All-American.

The Ducks are planning to get World to Eugene in the coming days for a visit and try to seal the deal on his recruitment.