Winter weather advisory issued for Oregon Cascade passes as snow returns to mountains

A winter weather advisory has been issued for Oregon’s Cascade Mountain passes from Wednesday night into Thursday morning, according to the National Weather Service.

A total of around 6 to 11 inches is forecast above 3,500 feet, likely impacting Highway 22 over Santiam Pass, Highway 58 over Willamette Pass and Highway 26 in the Mount Hood area.

“Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous,” NWS wrote.

Heavy snow is also forecast later in the week and over the weekend, according to advanced forecasts. It’s unclear how much snow will hit the mountains over the weekend.

The additional powder comes at a good time for Oregon. The amount of mountain snow in northwest Oregon has actually dropped below normal, although it remains slightly above normal statewide.

An additional boost of snow could help stave off the wildfire season and extend the winter recreation season at ski areas and sno parks.

Zach Urness has been an outdoors reporter in Oregon for 18 years and is host of the Explore Oregon Podcast. He can be reached at zurness@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 399-6801. Find him on X at @ZachsORoutdoors and BlueSky at oregonoutdoors.bsky.social.