UPDATE: Whopping 4-8 feet of snow forecast on Oregon Cascade passes
This story was updated at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 9
As predicated, blizzard conditions are hitting Oregon's mountain roads Tuesday and into Wednesday, bringing whiteout conditions. Heavy snow is forecast all week in the mountains above 1,500 to 2,000 feet, with Cascade mountain passes getting between 4 to 8 feet of snow from Tuesday to Saturday, according to the National Weather Service in Portland.
On Wednesday, around 1-2 inches of snow could impact the Portland Metro Area but snow levels are expected to stay above 1,000 feet for the most part, meteorologists said.
Latest As blizzard slams Oregon mountains, will Portland, Salem or Eugene see snow?
Original story below
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A rare blizzard warning was issued by the National Weather Service due to projections of extreme amounts of snow Tuesday and Wednesday on Oregon mountain roads and passes.
Up to 4 feet of snow and winds 55 to 75 mph could create whiteout conditions around Cascade mountain passes including Santiam Pass (Highway 20), Willamette Pass (Highway 58) and the Mount Hood area (Highway 26).
Snow is not likely in the Willamette Valley until possibly later in the week. However, heavy rain and strong winds Monday night into Tuesday could knock out power in some locations across the Willamette Valley.
Well, it's been a few years since a Blizzard Warning has been issued for our area (2021 Gorge & 2012 Cascades). But here is a look at the areas impacted by our Blizzard and Winter Storm Warnings that start tonight and continue through Wed Afternoon. #orwx #wawx pic.twitter.com/x2ntSOBgy4
— NWS Portland (@NWSPortland) January 8, 2024
Blizzard could bring whiteout, downed tree limbs
The blizzard warning goes into effect at 4 a.m. Tuesday. Between Tuesday and Wednesday, the amount of snow could range from 1 to 4 feet above 3,000 feet, NWS forecasters said.
"The combination of heavy snow and strong winds will occasionally result in whiteout conditions Tuesday through Wednesday," NWS wrote in the warning. "Poor visibility and rapid snow accumulation will result in dangerous conditions for even the most experienced of drivers.
"Strong winds and heavy snow may bring down tree limbs, leading to power outages. Increasingly cold and windy conditions will make the outdoors hazardous for the unprepared," NWS added.
While the heaviest snow is forecast above 3,000 feet, snow levels are forecast to drop to 1,500 to 2,000 feet by midday Tuesday, which is likely to impact mountain roads in the Coast Range and Cascade Foothills.
Wind and rain could bring power outages in Willamette Valley, foothills towns
Heavy rain and strong winds could knock down trees and power lines in the Willamette Valley and elsewhere in the mountains into Wednesday. An advisory called for winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 35 to 50 mph.
"The forecast weather indicates strong winds could result in system interruptions, causing possible power outages through early Wednesday morning," Pacific Power said in a news release. "Pacific Power’s meteorology team is closely monitoring the storm and crews are on standby ready to respond to weather-related outages."
Extended freeze, impact on I-5 in southern Oregon
This week's storm could impact driving on Interstate 5 in southern Oregon.
Snow could reach elevations as low as Sexton Summit on I-5 and is likely to impact Siskiyou Summit on I-5 at the state line with California.
Snow also may fall around the Rogue Valley, in or around towns such as Ashland, Medford and Grants Pass.
You've probably heard a lot of snow is coming to the higher elevations. BUT...what about the valleys? Well, there is a chance to see snowfall Tuesday night into Wednesday morning for some lower elevations. It doesn't take much snow to make roads hazardous. Be safe! #ORwx @CAwx pic.twitter.com/5NRG9Tdb4Z
— NWS Medford (@NWSMedford) January 8, 2024
What about snow in the Willamette Valley?
The vast majority of the snow is forecast for the mountains, and the forecast only predicts snow levels dropping as low as 1,500 feet on Friday. That doesn't indicate a high likelihood of significant snow on the Willamette Valley floor, but conditions could easily change depending on how cold the air turns later in the week. In short: stay tuned.
The upside: ski areas and bolstered snowpack
The upside of the blizzard and storm is that it should bring Oregon's mountain snowpack up to possibly normal levels after an extremely small amount of snow earlier this winter. All Oregon ski areas are expected to open during the coming week, although travel to reach them could be hazardous.
More: Hoodoo Ski Area announces opening on Wednesday
Long term models show cold air sticking around
The latest longer-term forecasts show the cold and wet conditions sticking around. Oregon's 6-10 day forecast, and the 8-14 day forecast, continue to show odds tilted toward colder and wetting conditions.
Zach Urness has been an outdoors reporter in Oregon for 15 years and is host of the Explore Oregon Podcast. To support his work, subscribe to the Statesman Journal. He can be reached at zurness@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 399-6801. Find him on Twitter at @ZachsORoutdoors.
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: UPDATE: Whopping 4-8 feet of snow forecast on Oregon Cascade passes
