BEND, OR -- Central Oregon has had a very snowy winter, so far. Three significant storms have dropped dozens of inches of snow, and another cold front is expected to move in to the area Saturday.
Meteorologist Rob Kramp, with the National Weather Service, says this is not the norm, "Especially when you compare it to last winter and, in particular, the last few winters. We were way on the low end of snow the last few winters, so comparing to that, this is significantly above that."
He says the immense snowfall may be challenging for drivers, but it's good for the snow pack. "Just compared to climatological averages, we're starting to get above average and the snow pack in the mountains is starting to get way above average, at this point. It looks like at least next week or so, before we start to see a much more significant warm up. The snow is just going to continue to accumulate; and the mountains, in particular, are far above normal on snow pack, now."
The weather service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory from 10 a.m. Saturday through 4 a.m. Sunday. The next storm could bring another two to four inches of snow, Saturday; and freezing rain, Sunday. More snow is expected into next week, as well.
