Oregon winter storm watch issued for mountain roads, passes
Tips for Safe Winter Driving in Oregon
Here are some tips to stay safe on the road.
The National Weather Service in Portland has issued a winter storm watch for Oregon’s mountain roads, effective Saturday night into Monday.
More than a foot of snow is forecast at elevations above 2,500 feet, meaning locations like Marion Forks and Government Camp could see white, while travel over the Cascade Range passes could become dangerous.
The forecast calls for as much as 15 inches at pass levels, most likely impacting Highway 20 at Santiam and Tombstone Passes, Highway 58 at Willamette Pass, Mount Hood area and the Highway 62/138/230 area near Diamond Lake and Crater Lake .
“Travel can be very difficult,” NWS wrote in the alert. Winterize your vehicle and have a winter emergency kit on hand if you plan to drive over the Cascade passes. Make sure your emergency kit includes the following items: flashlights, batteries, blankets, a shovel, water, non-perishable food, tire chains, etc.”
Snow levels look set to rise and then drop a few times over the next week, meaning there is a higher chance of snow, but also rain at pass level, while the higher mountains and resorts should get quite a bit of snow.
On the plus side, the snow should help strengthen the snow base at ski areas across the state. Mount Hood Meadows, Mt. Bachelor and Timberline Lodge are all open this weekend and will be open daily by Thanksgiving.
Zach Urness has been an outdoors reporter in Oregon for 16 years and hosts the Explore Oregon Podcast. He can be reached at [email protected] or (503) 399-6801. Find him at X at @ZachsORoutdoors.