As snow continues to fall in Oregon’s mountains, the Willamette Valley is expected to see less of it. This trend is forecasted to continue into the weekend, with snow levels dropping to around 1,000 feet in some areas. The Portland Metro Area is expected to have the best chance for snow on Friday night and Saturday, while Salem and Eugene might see a few flakes at higher elevations, according to the most recent forecasts.
Additionally, massive snowfall has already accumulated in Oregon’s mountains, totaling feet of snow over the past few days. This heavy snow has resulted in difficult travel conditions on highways including Highway 20 over Santiam Pass, Highway 58 over Willamette Pass, and Highway 26 in the Mount Hood and Government Camp area. The smaller ski areas in Oregon have announced their openings after a period of little snowfall earlier in the season. This sudden increase in snow forecast for the coming days brings hope for an excellent winter recreation season and a steady water supply for spring and summer.
While it was forecasted to be a warmer winter due to El Niño, Oregon has experienced an unusually active week of snowfall. This is beneficial for snowpack accumulation, as well as for water supply in the coming months. Despite the unseasonable weather trend, temperatures are expected to return to more normal levels around Tuesday and Wednesday of next week.
