Cascade Pass could see 20 inches of snow

On By Littum

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(This story has been updated with new information)

A winter storm warning for snow accumulations of up to 20 inches is forecast for Oregon’s high Cascade Mountain passes through Tuesday.

The warning started at 8pm on Sunday and will remain in place until 10am on Tuesday.

“Travel may be very difficult to impossible,” the National Weather Service said. “If you must travel, make sure you slow down and allow extra time.”

The heaviest snow is predicted above 4,000 feet, where up to 20 inches is possible. At altitudes between 3,000 and 4,000 feet, 4 to 10 inches is possible.

The storm should have the greatest impact on Highway 20 over the Santiam and Tombstone passes, Highway 58 over the Willamette Pass and on the southern Cascade Mountain pass around Diamond Lake and Crater Lake, and between Medford and Klamath Falls.

There will also be an impact in the Mount Hood area, although somewhat less in the Government Camp area below 4,000 feet.

Anyone who needs to travel should have a winter emergency driving kit readily available. Common items that include: flashlight, batteries, blankets, a shovel, water, non-perishable food and tire chains.

Snow turns to rain in the mountains, rivers rise

The snow will gradually change to rain on Tuesday and Wednesday, even at mountain pass levels, as warm and wet conditions take over over the weekend.

Some rivers look set to rise towards higher levels later this week. The warmer and wetter weather conditions than usual are expected to last throughout the winter holidays and Christmas period.

Zach Urness has been an outdoor reporter in Oregon for 16 years and hosts the Explore Oregon Podcast. He can be found at [email protected] or (503) 399-6801. Find him at X at @ZachsORoutdoors.