Up to 2 feet of snow could fall in Oregon's Cascade mountain passes

A winter storm watch and warning has been issued for the Cascade mountain passes in Oregon from Wednesday afternoon through Friday.

The storms could bring between 6 inches and 2 feet of snow, with the heaviest snow falling on the high Cascade highways Wednesday evening, Thursday and early Friday.

“A cold front will result in rapid accumulation of snow above 4,000 to 5,000 feet Wednesday afternoon into Wednesday evening,” the National Weather Service wrote. “A lull in snow will most likely occur Wednesday night into Thursday morning before additional snow showers result in higher snowfall rates across the Cascades late Thursday night into early Friday.”

The heaviest snow — between 1 and 2 feet — is forecast for the central and southern Cascades. These include Willamette Pass Highway 58 and the Crater Lake-Diamond Lake area on Highways 230, 62 and 138.

“Traveling could be very difficult or even impossible. Gusty winds and heavy snow could cause tree branches to fall,” NWS wrote.

Somewhat less snow is forecast for the mountain roads between Mount Hood and the Three Sisters, forecasters said. They are projecting 6 to 12 inches above 4,000 feet and 8 to 16 inches above 5,000 feet in places like Santiam Pass on Highway 20 and in the Timberline and Government Camp areas.

“Roads, particularly bridges and overpasses, are likely to become slippery and dangerous. Travel could be very difficult,” NWS wrote.

Zach Urness has been an outdoor reporter in Oregon for 16 years and host of the Explore Oregon Podcast. To support his work, subscribe to the Statesman Journal. He can be reached at [email protected] or (503) 399-6801. Find him on Twitter at @ZachsORoutdoors.

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