Well, I guess if "common" is once a winter, give or take, then it is common.
There have been winters where there is "no snow event" as they call it.
Portland sits at roughly 400-500' in elevation. The hills around Portland can go up to 800-900'.
So, if the snow level as we call it gets down to that 500' line, they start to panic and will close schools BEFORE the snow hits.
Last winter was an above average one & I think Portland had 2 or 3 snow events of which the one in the video was the worst.
Your right in the moist air coming in from the Pacific & the cold air coming down usually from the Gulf of Alaska and then dropping the freezing/snow level as they call it.
We have lived in OR since 85, (transplant from WI) & live on the East side of the Cascades where we do get the snow. But, the typical snow level is above 3,000' and most often is above 4,000'. My house sits at 4200' at the base of the mountain range so we are right on the edge. Last year we had roughly 70" total at the house.
Portland I think got around 6-8" total last winter which is big for them.
While on our side of the mountains & at the local ski area, Mt Bachelor's total annual snow fall last year was 520"...yes, 520" of snow.
It was a great year. Thats why I still rode in late May !!!
This year is starting slow.
We get effected by the El Nino's, El Nina's & La Ninos, whatever in the Pacific.
It is predicted to be a more normal winter this year based on ocean temps. We will see.
Let it snow !!!
Oh yeah, you are correct, those apartments with the views....yup...much bigger $$$.!!
