Mark Nelsen
@marknelsenweather.bsky.social
Chief Meteorologist KPTV, Portland, OR
New weather podcast just dropped. 'Baseball-sized hail' to... rainbows? Mark & Camila discuss the lackluster stormy weather last week, flooding in southeast Oregon, and what's coming up. Audio version has already dropped into your feed, but we suggest video version here: www.kptv.com/podcasts/wea...
April 4, 2025 at 4:39 AM
New weather podcast just dropped. 'Baseball-sized hail' to... rainbows? Mark & Camila discuss the lackluster stormy weather last week, flooding in southeast Oregon, and what's coming up. Audio version has already dropped into your feed, but we suggest video version here: www.kptv.com/podcasts/wea...
New weather podcast episode just dropped. Spring has sprung! We cover this weekend, wet weather next week, and that sub-par "planetary parade" last week. Always lots of fun... Best to watch it here, www.kptv.com/podcasts/wea... but it should have already dropped into your favorite audio feed too.
March 7, 2025 at 9:03 PM
New weather podcast episode just dropped. Spring has sprung! We cover this weekend, wet weather next week, and that sub-par "planetary parade" last week. Always lots of fun... Best to watch it here, www.kptv.com/podcasts/wea... but it should have already dropped into your favorite audio feed too.
The big message? Confidence up that we've got a widespread snow/freezing rain event Thursday to Friday morning in the I-5 corridor, Gorge, and coastline. Have option to work from home? Plan on doing that Thursday. And yes, most schools likely close Friday. More later in a wx blog post
February 12, 2025 at 1:31 AM
The big message? Confidence up that we've got a widespread snow/freezing rain event Thursday to Friday morning in the I-5 corridor, Gorge, and coastline. Have option to work from home? Plan on doing that Thursday. And yes, most schools likely close Friday. More later in a wx blog post
End of week weather blog post just finished. Big picture: relatively uneventful in lowlands through the weekend, but more interesting as we get into next week.https://www.kptv.com/2025/02/01/sticking-snow-chance-increasing-next-week-lowlands/
February 1, 2025 at 4:57 AM
End of week weather blog post just finished. Big picture: relatively uneventful in lowlands through the weekend, but more interesting as we get into next week.https://www.kptv.com/2025/02/01/sticking-snow-chance-increasing-next-week-lowlands/
New weather podcast just dropped. Of course it's all about the upcoming snow setup, plus an introduction to our newest team member, meteorologist Payton Major. She grew up right here in Beaverton! Plus, Camila went on quite a rant about those weather apps. Video here: www.kptv.com/podcasts/wea...
January 31, 2025 at 8:47 PM
New weather podcast just dropped. Of course it's all about the upcoming snow setup, plus an introduction to our newest team member, meteorologist Payton Major. She grew up right here in Beaverton! Plus, Camila went on quite a rant about those weather apps. Video here: www.kptv.com/podcasts/wea...
Working on weather blog post later this evening, but forecast hasn't changed. Cold showers (mainly snow) come/go Sunday night through Wed lower elevations. Could impact mainly morning commutes. Watching closely to see if cold arctic air pours through Gorge later next week and causes trouble 😲
January 30, 2025 at 3:02 AM
Working on weather blog post later this evening, but forecast hasn't changed. Cold showers (mainly snow) come/go Sunday night through Wed lower elevations. Could impact mainly morning commutes. Watching closely to see if cold arctic air pours through Gorge later next week and causes trouble 😲
Finally, hope for some interesting weather. But snow into the lowlands? We'll see. Just finished up a new weather blog post this afternoon: www.kptv.com/2025/01/27/w...
January 27, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Finally, hope for some interesting weather. But snow into the lowlands? We'll see. Just finished up a new weather blog post this afternoon: www.kptv.com/2025/01/27/w...
Working on winter wx presentation (it's boring right now). Biggest snowstorms in Portland's history; 3-day totals. We know it used to snow a lot more 150 years ago, but look at some of those storms! Honorable mentions (not in Top 5) are January 1980, January 2017.
January 24, 2025 at 3:52 AM
Working on winter wx presentation (it's boring right now). Biggest snowstorms in Portland's history; 3-day totals. We know it used to snow a lot more 150 years ago, but look at some of those storms! Honorable mentions (not in Top 5) are January 1980, January 2017.
25° at PDX this morning, edged out Sunday's 26° for coldest of winter...so far. Not pipe-busting cold, especially with days in the 40s, in fact good for our gardens. Repeated cold nights like this really keeps them in dormancy well
January 22, 2025 at 6:53 PM
25° at PDX this morning, edged out Sunday's 26° for coldest of winter...so far. Not pipe-busting cold, especially with days in the 40s, in fact good for our gardens. Repeated cold nights like this really keeps them in dormancy well
We may have called it episode 125 in the podcast, but episode 124 has dropped! We dive into the models for clues on whether a cold snap is ahead. Plus we're bringing back the term of the week AND as always-- cool viewer photos!
Video version here: www.kptv.com/podcasts/wea...
Video version here: www.kptv.com/podcasts/wea...
January 18, 2025 at 6:36 AM
We may have called it episode 125 in the podcast, but episode 124 has dropped! We dive into the models for clues on whether a cold snap is ahead. Plus we're bringing back the term of the week AND as always-- cool viewer photos!
Video version here: www.kptv.com/podcasts/wea...
Video version here: www.kptv.com/podcasts/wea...
Gloomy again today under the inversion/clouds/fog in western valleys, EXCEPT a small area downtown Portland eastward to the mouth of the Columbia River Gorge (some dry east wind). 3 dots are Hillsboro, PDX, & Troutdale. Drove with sunglasses first 1/2 of commute, then it got dark... Sunnier tomorrow
January 14, 2025 at 10:35 PM
Gloomy again today under the inversion/clouds/fog in western valleys, EXCEPT a small area downtown Portland eastward to the mouth of the Columbia River Gorge (some dry east wind). 3 dots are Hillsboro, PDX, & Troutdale. Drove with sunglasses first 1/2 of commute, then it got dark... Sunnier tomorrow
A historic damaging wind event in southern California this evening with at least two fires raging. The gusts 70-80+ in some flatland locations (Burbank Airport) are particularly amazing
January 8, 2025 at 5:35 AM
A historic damaging wind event in southern California this evening with at least two fires raging. The gusts 70-80+ in some flatland locations (Burbank Airport) are particularly amazing
That pretty much covers it...along with this graphic
January 6, 2025 at 2:25 AM
That pretty much covers it...along with this graphic
Western OR/WA now in the coldest time of year (on average). PDX low/high temp bottoms out at 36/46 for about 3 weeks centered on late December. Of course in any one year the coldest temp of winter can occur anytime from late-November to mid-February
December 31, 2024 at 2:42 AM
Western OR/WA now in the coldest time of year (on average). PDX low/high temp bottoms out at 36/46 for about 3 weeks centered on late December. Of course in any one year the coldest temp of winter can occur anytime from late-November to mid-February
Thickest ice accretion (freezing rain) I've experienced. December 29, 1996 in Corbett (Oregon). Two consecutive ice storms. Parked school bus perpendicular to 70+ mph wind gusts. 3-4" ice on one side, but bare on the other; it's leaning INTO that wind. ~4-5" of rain during this event, all below 32°
December 30, 2024 at 4:27 AM
Thickest ice accretion (freezing rain) I've experienced. December 29, 1996 in Corbett (Oregon). Two consecutive ice storms. Parked school bus perpendicular to 70+ mph wind gusts. 3-4" ice on one side, but bare on the other; it's leaning INTO that wind. ~4-5" of rain during this event, all below 32°
So "warm" this month, we've seen night after night with temps way above normal. I loved the bright sunshine with cold nights the first few days of the month; wouldn't mind seeing that with more sun.
> Right now December is running 3rd warmest on record, after Dec 1950 and Dec 2023.
> Right now December is running 3rd warmest on record, after Dec 1950 and Dec 2023.
December 30, 2024 at 3:43 AM
So "warm" this month, we've seen night after night with temps way above normal. I loved the bright sunshine with cold nights the first few days of the month; wouldn't mind seeing that with more sun.
> Right now December is running 3rd warmest on record, after Dec 1950 and Dec 2023.
> Right now December is running 3rd warmest on record, after Dec 1950 and Dec 2023.
Snow levels linger near passes through Saturday = mix of wet snow and rain at that elevation. But BIG snow up high! Up to 4 feet through the weekend
December 24, 2024 at 6:13 AM
Snow levels linger near passes through Saturday = mix of wet snow and rain at that elevation. But BIG snow up high! Up to 4 feet through the weekend
Excellent travel through Cascades with warmer-than-normal pattern. At least through Monday. Unfortunately no significant snow for skiing until early next week
December 19, 2024 at 6:47 AM
Excellent travel through Cascades with warmer-than-normal pattern. At least through Monday. Unfortunately no significant snow for skiing until early next week
New record high for December 18th in Portland. 60° this afternoon with the warm southerly wind. We stay mild through Christmas and beyond
December 19, 2024 at 12:06 AM
New record high for December 18th in Portland. 60° this afternoon with the warm southerly wind. We stay mild through Christmas and beyond
Peak gust 112 mph at top of Magic Mile lift @timberlinelodge this morning as cold front passed. This happens more often than you think; usually during storms this wind gauge is locked in ice at 7,000' on Mt. Hood. Notice temp goes above freezing, then wind goes wild overnight.
December 18, 2024 at 5:39 PM
Peak gust 112 mph at top of Magic Mile lift @timberlinelodge this morning as cold front passed. This happens more often than you think; usually during storms this wind gauge is locked in ice at 7,000' on Mt. Hood. Notice temp goes above freezing, then wind goes wild overnight.
Tonight it'll be warmer in Portland than any DAY so far this month. PDX hit 56° @ 6pm as south wind arrived. Temps remain above 50° for most of the metro area all night long. Tomorrow should be fantastic with partly cloudy skies and highs 55-60° in I-5 corridor. Christmas graphic needed of course
December 18, 2024 at 3:49 AM
Tonight it'll be warmer in Portland than any DAY so far this month. PDX hit 56° @ 6pm as south wind arrived. Temps remain above 50° for most of the metro area all night long. Tomorrow should be fantastic with partly cloudy skies and highs 55-60° in I-5 corridor. Christmas graphic needed of course
Fresh weather podcast this afternoon. Lots of model talk about what we're seeing heading toward Christmas. I always recommend the video version here: kptv.com/podcasts/wea... Episode 122 is down the page a bit
December 14, 2024 at 12:58 AM
Fresh weather podcast this afternoon. Lots of model talk about what we're seeing heading toward Christmas. I always recommend the video version here: kptv.com/podcasts/wea... Episode 122 is down the page a bit
The snow will be light, but 1st of season in the central/eastern Columbia River Gorge tonight/Thursday. We'll call it a First Alert Weather Day out there for that reason. Enjoy and play some Christmas tunes as you watch the flakes fall; I-84 remains snow-free at river level since temps are marginal
December 12, 2024 at 1:28 AM
The snow will be light, but 1st of season in the central/eastern Columbia River Gorge tonight/Thursday. We'll call it a First Alert Weather Day out there for that reason. Enjoy and play some Christmas tunes as you watch the flakes fall; I-84 remains snow-free at river level since temps are marginal
Headed through Cascades this work week? Looks uneventful after leftover snow/ice Monday morning & midday. Then mainly bare through Friday. Likely snowy again at some point next weekend.
December 9, 2024 at 6:34 AM
Headed through Cascades this work week? Looks uneventful after leftover snow/ice Monday morning & midday. Then mainly bare through Friday. Likely snowy again at some point next weekend.
Strongest & coldest east wind of the season blasting out of the Columbia River Gorge this afternoon as pressure difference (gradient) climbs between The Dalles & Troutdale. Peak gusts (on map) 70-80 mph in western Gorge and 35-50 east metro (mainly east of I-205). More tomorrow, then calmer Thur.
December 4, 2024 at 12:24 AM
Strongest & coldest east wind of the season blasting out of the Columbia River Gorge this afternoon as pressure difference (gradient) climbs between The Dalles & Troutdale. Peak gusts (on map) 70-80 mph in western Gorge and 35-50 east metro (mainly east of I-205). More tomorrow, then calmer Thur.