Forecasters advise light snowfall will likely return Tuesday night after another low-pressure system brings snow to the area Monday night through Tuesday morning.
In a winter weather advisory, the National Weather Service in Portland expected some snowfall to continue before tapering off by midday Tuesday.
Most accumulation from Monday night’s snow will likely be fairly light, said Matthew Cullen, a meteorologist at the weather service.
Temperatures reached freezing Monday night, and Tuesday night’s lows in Vancouver will be around 26 degrees. How much of a problem ice will pose is difficult to say, Cullen said, but forecasters don’t expect more of it.
“We’re not expecting anything new in terms of ice accumulation, in terms of freezing rain, at all in the next couple of days,” he said.
Tuesday’s low pressure system is expected to track south of Portland and around the mid-Willamette Valley. Tuesday night’s system will likely hit the Cascades and their foothills hardest, said the weather service, which added that they were less confident about its course.
Snow is forecast to start falling again late Tuesday night in Vancouver, which will likely see less than an inch of new accumulation, according to forecasters.
Although points south will likely see more, Cullen said some higher-elevation areas in Southwest Washington may see up to 1 to 3 inches of snowfall Tuesday night.
Vancouver’s high temperature for Tuesday is forecast at around 38 degrees.
As for Wednesday, forecasters expect snowfall in Vancouver to transition to snow showers around 10 a.m., with high temperatures near 31 degrees. Wednesday night’s low is expected to be around 24 degrees, and there’s a slight chance of snow showers before 10 p.m.
Melting and re-freezing snow, and whatever snowfall the region sees in the next few days, will present the greatest hazard for motorists.
“I think that’s a key message that we’re trying to convey at this point,” Cullen said. “If you have to be out traveling, make sure you’re prepared. Have your supply kit in your vehicle, ready to go. Be prepared to encounter some slick spots.”
Thursday and Friday will see mostly clear days with highs near 35 degrees and nighttime lows in the 20s.
There’s a slight chance of rain Friday night and over the weekend.
