Rain, ice in the Cascades likely Friday around PNW

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- Harsh winter weather continues to hit the Cascades of Oregon as the Portland area braces for more rain on Friday.

Soaking rains are expected to start the day off along the coast and Willamette Valley. Despite the soaking rains, temperatures are expected to warm into the low 50s by the afternoon. Some dry moments are expected to be found across the region on Friday afternoon and evening. The next round of heavy rain isn't expected until Saturday afternoon.

Soaking rains will bring nearly an inch and a half to almost two inches for some areas by the end of the day on Saturday. It's the higher elevations that will deal with the threat of freezing rain on Friday morning.

Slick and icy conditions are expected to remain for much of the day Friday north of Mt. Hood. Almost a tenth to a quarter of an inch of ice is expected to accumulate before snow elevations fall back down to 4,000.'

The elevation window for ice is between 500' and 2,000' Friday morning. A gradual warming trend could help melt the ice accumulation late in the day Friday. Saturday's wet weather will likely bring rain back to the lower elevations and snow to 4,000'.

The warmer-than-average temperatures are expected to last through much of next week. The last round of wet weather is expected by the end of the weekend. Then, sunnier and drier weather will come with mild temperatures next week.