Bomb cyclone impacts, timeline Tuesday around Oregon, Washington

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- A powerful fall storm is quickly strengthening over the Pacific Ocean as wind, rain and snowy impacts result in Oregon and Washington on Tuesday.

A KOIN 6 Weather Alert is in place as a mosaic of winter, wind, and rain alerts are issued across the region Tuesday through Wednesday morning. A bomb cyclone means that the mid-latitude cyclone developing over the Pacific Ocean will drop 24 millibars in pressure in just 24 hours.

Bomb cyclone impacts along the Oregon Coast

The brunt of this mid-autumn storm will be felt along the Oregon and Washington coastline today and Wednesday. The increase in wind speed will follow heavy, widespread and persistent rain.

The greatest wind speeds are expected after sunset along the coastline where some locations could see winds near 60+ mph. The Portland National Weather Service has issued a "High Wind Warning" that goes into place at 4 p.m. Tuesday and lasts through 4 a.m. Wednesday.

Power outages are possible as potentially damaging southern winds move along the coast. Downed tree limbs are possible as the winds increase, along with tough travel on roadways. Now is the time to secure loose objects around your property.

Portland, Willamette Valley's bomb cyclone impacts

Rain chances will start to increase around the Portland, Vancouver metro by the afternoon hours. Winds will continue to strengthen as well as the storm moves closer to the shoreline with gusts nearing 30 mph by about 6pm.

The majority of people in the valley and Portland metro area will see wind gusts up to 25 to 35 mph. However, areas of southwest Washington in Clark and Cowlitz County, as well as Columbia County in Oregon could see gusts as high as 40 to 50 mph. That could potentially cause a few power outages or damage to tree limbs throughout early Wednesday morning.

This bomb cyclone will also bring in heavy rain amounts to the region. Forecast rain totals in the Willamette Valley could near an inch from Tuesday afternoon to Wednesday evening. Some minor urban flooding is possible in areas where storm drains aren't cleared of leaves and other debris.

Heavy mountain snow expected with bomb cyclone

Heavy mountain snow is expected to accumulate at elevations as low as 3,500 feet. Mt. Hood, and other Cascade peaks, have seen about two feet of new snowfall accumulation already this week. Mountain pass travel will likely be tricky as colder and windy conditions remain.

Visibility may be impacted at times when the wind is at its greatest Tuesday night into Wednesday morning for the passes. Additional snow could be near the one to two-foot mark depending on elevation.

Be sure to drive safe and keep your eyes on the forecast with the KOIN 6 Weather Team.