Snow dusted several areas in Portland's West Hills Saturday morning, delivering on the National Weather Service's promise of a wintry mix to greet the weekend in some spots of the city.

"Some places might have seen a dusting," said National Weather Service meteorologist David Bishop in Portland. "More than likely it's going to melt."

A winter storm watch has been issued from 8AM Sunday to 1PM Monday for the Columbia River Gorge, Hood River Valley, and south Washington Cascade foothills. Ice and snow for west gorge. Snow elsewhere. Snowfall amounts of 4 to 8 inches w/ isolated amounts up to 10 inches possible https://t.co/v75dkcMRGj — NWS Portland (@NWSPortland) December 23, 2017

Today is the day to travel, especially if you are travelling east of the Cascades. Forecast still has a lot of uncertainty for the valley, but confidence is high that ice and or snow will affect Cascade passes and the Columbia River Gorge. — NWS Portland (@NWSPortland) December 23, 2017

Will you see a White Christmas? Unlikely but not impossible for most of the lowlands except for the Columbia River Gorge and Hood River Valley. Silver Christmas possible for east PDX metro area from freezing rain. pic.twitter.com/psnVfCfObx — NWS Portland (@NWSPortland) December 23, 2017

Rain and snow showers were expected in Portland before 10 a.m., followed by cloudy then mostly sunny skies. The high will be near 39 with winds gusting as high as 26 mph.

Starting Saturday night, holiday travelers will want to pay attention to a forecast of freezing precipitation through Christmas Day.

On Saturday afternoon, the Oregon State Police issued an advisory saying, "motorists intending to travel the central and eastern Columbia Gorge along I-84 of black ice conditions persisting along the route. Take appropriate precautions."

While the low tonight is expected to reach 31, with an east wind around 25 mph and gusts as high as 38 mph, with a 60 percent chance of precipitation, little or no ice, snow or sleet accumulation is expected.

Sunday morning, rain, snow, freezing rain, and sleet are likely between 4 a.m. and 10 a.m. The high will be near 34. It will continue to be windy, with gusts as high as 38 mph. There's a 90 percent chance of precipitation and the possibility of ice accumulation of less than a tenth of an inch. The expected low Sunday night is 33 degrees.

On Christmas Day, showers are likely, mainly before 10 a.m., with mostly cloudy skies and a high near 41.

24 Hour Snowfall Totals. Over a foot of snow in the Cascades. 4 to 6 inches in the Hood River Valley. Around 1 inch in the central Columbia River Gorge. pic.twitter.com/ac25Ku1ndJ — NWS Portland (@NWSPortland) December 23, 2017

snow in Portland heights near ainsworth school. @NWSPortland pic.twitter.com/8NVMb4h5wz — Arjan van de Ven (@fenruspdx) December 23, 2017

First snow of the season in the West Hills! And I’m sure not the last. #pdxtst #kgwweather #orwx pic.twitter.com/bBQRvgpMPj — Matt Zaffino (@Zaffino) December 23, 2017

This was at Pittock Mansion this morning pic.twitter.com/7KEemNs7T5 — Clifford Paguio (@clifford_paguio) December 23, 2017

-- Allan Brettman