PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- The first major snow event of the fall season is taking aim at Oregon's high country.
A blast of fall-like air and moisture is expected to lower snow elevations across the region this week. Widespread rain will start Wednesday and continue through Thursday from the coast to the Willamette Valley.
However, those mountain area temperatures will fall dramatically later this week as snow elevations dip to nearly 4,000 ft.
Snow totals could near almost a foot over the central Oregon Cascades. Lesser amounts are expected to fall over the Mt. Hood region.
However, Wednesday and Thursday's snowfall will likely be the first accumulative snowfall of the season.
Mt. Hood has already seen a few dustings of snow as early as August. However, warm afternoon temperatures have helped melt conditions rapidly during the past events. Colder temperatures are expected to stick around through the weekend. That's where accumulative snow has a better chance at lingering on Oregon's highest peaks.
This cooler and snowier weather pattern is also expected to return to the Cascades later next week.
Stay with the KOIN 6 Weather Team as winter weather ramps up over the Cascades over the next few weeks.
