Amazing Winter Weather in NW

Posted by Aurae Beidler Jan 30, 2008

Oregon Climate

I have lived in Oregon my whole life. The weather in the Northwest never ceases to amaze me. From heat waves in the summer to cold, below freezing days in the winter, the weather can be extreme. Oregon’s climate is considered mild, with fairly hot summers but typically winters are mild. Of course there are many climate zones within the state of Oregon, from coastal rainforests, to valley grasslands, to alpine mountain meadows, to desert, and a myriad in between.

Snowfall Unsual in Willamette Valley

I cannot remember a winter when I have seen snow for four days in a row at the Willamette Valley floor! Usually we are lucky to even get a light dusting of snow. Some years we go without seeing a single snowflake. In Oregon, most of us do not own a snow shovel. We take our cameras out at the first sight of snow, to capture the rare event.

I’ve seen snow at the Oregon Coast, along the beaches in Florence. I’ve seen several inches of snow in Eugene. But never have I heard of week-long snowfall in valley locations.

Accurate Predictions by NOAA

According to NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center forecasts for winter 2008, the continuing effects of La Niña would bring more snow to the Northwest. These predictions have been proven to be accurately on target.