Oregon shares Winter Storm Watch with unsuspecting state

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- A Winter Storm Watch is in place for much of the high terrain of Oregon but shares the same weather alert as parts of Hawaii.

Winter weather is set to blast Oregon's Cascades later this week as cooler and wetter weather returns to the region. Nearly six to 15 inches of snow is possible above 3,000' on Thursday evening through Saturday afternoon. Some areas around Mt. Hood could even see feet of snow by the end of the first week of February.

Oregon's Winter Storm Watch also comes as Hawaii shares the same weather alert. Winter weather isn't something you typically associate with Aloha State. However, winter weather is common for the high mountain peaks of the Big Island. Nearly four to eight inches of snow is possible for the Big Island's summits with ice and wind as an added concern. Hawaii is expected to hold on to this winter weather potential through Friday morning.