More Snow Is Expected In The Northwest Before Warmer Weather Returns.

Forecasters predict up to 3 inches of snow in parts of western Washington on Thursday. A similar amount could be seen in Northwestern Oregon.

A thaw is on the way for frigid Seattle and Portland, Oregon, but not before another round of snow, which might exacerbate problems in an area used to winter showers rather than cold blasts.

On Wednesday, more snow and rain poured in California, disrupting travel on mountain roads and boosting the risk of debris flows from wildfire burn scars.

Forecasters say up to 3 inches of snow could fall in regions of western Washington and northwestern Oregon on Thursday.

After strong cold air blew in from Canada's Fraser River Valley on Sunday, the normally temperate section of the Pacific Northwest shivered, with temperatures reaching single digits in some parts this week.

In some areas, snow and ice have made travel dangerous, forcing closures and travel delays, and forcing people to seek refuge in emergency warming centers.

Since Sunday, roughly 1,300 flights into and out of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport have been canceled due to weather and the pandemic. Hundreds of people, mainly from coastal settlements, have been stranded in Bethel, Alaska, due to poor weather and ill-equipped airports.

Temperatures could soar above freezing in Seattle on Thursday, and possibly higher in Portland, before a Pacific breeze blows in during the weekend, bringing more seasonable highs in the 40s.

Oregon officials have proclaimed a state of emergency. About a half-dozen weather shelters were open this week in Multnomah County, which includes Portland. In Seattle's King County, which had also declared an emergency, a similar number of shelters were opened.

Seattle officials have stated that city shelters will remain open into the new year.

Hundreds of accidents have occurred on Oregon highways this holiday season due to winter conditions and a return to pre-pandemic traffic levels.