Winter storm to bring another big snow dump on Oregon Cascade passes, likely into weekend
For the latest update on the snow hitting Oregon's mountains, see this new story published at 11:10 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 9
More:Winter storm warning issued for Oregon mountain passes into Saturday for 1-2 feet of snow
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ORIGINAL STORY
Two rounds of snow are expected to hit Oregon’s Cascade Range late this week and this weekend, according to the National Weather Service in Portland.
Both systems could disrupt travel over Oregon's Cascade Range passes while bringing more snow to ski areas and winter recreation destinations.
A winter storm advisory has been issued for Thursday morning into early Friday for the first system. It is expected to bring 8 to 12 inches of snow to Cascade pass levels including Santiam Pass (Highway 20), Willamette Pass (Highway 58) and the Government Camp Area (Highway 26).
Snow is also expected in the foothills, with 2 to 6 inches projected between 1,500 and 2,500 feet.
The second round of snowfall will hit hardest Friday night, with another 6 to 10 inches of snow forecast at pass levels. Snow over the actual weekend looks limited, with maybe a few inches here and there but nothing major, meaning it could be a good time to drive up to ski areas.
All major Western Oregon ski areas are open.
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. Urness is the author of “Best Hikes with Kids: Oregon” and “Hiking Southern Oregon.” 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: Winter storm to bring another big snow dump on Oregon Cascade passes
