Light drizzle Friday leads to wet weekend for the PNW

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- The chance for a few sprinkles on Friday will fade to cooler and wetter weather this weekend in western Oregon and southwest Washington.

After a few sprinkles arrive this morning as a warm front moves northward through the valley, mainly dry conditions will continue throughout the day. A few more isolated sprinkles are possible through the early afternoon hours Friday. Despite the mostly cloudy skies, temperatures will still make it up into the mid 50s by the afternoon.

Another stronger cold front will push through the region Saturday morning. That's when temperatures will fall to the low 50s and rain will become widespread. Rain accumulation will nearly anywhere from a half inch to three quarters of an inch by the end of the weekend.

Slightly cooler temperatures will help drop the snow elevation level back down to 4,500' by the end of the weekend. That's when mountain snow will return to the Cascades, the heaviest at elevations above 6,000'. Light snow and slush could develop on the roadways by the end of the weekend. Be sure to check road conditions before you go.

Several more cold fronts will develop over the Pacific Northwest next week. That will keep the rain chance going across the Pacific Northwest through the weekend and the start of next week.

Temperatures will remain slightly warmer than average for the end of December. This comes as rain remains in the forecast through Christmas Day. If you're dreaming of a white Christmas this year, you'll have to travel into the mountains to find it in Oregon and southwest Washington.