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Oregon Cascades Brace for Heavy Snow Amid Record Dry Winter
1 Apr
Summary
- A Winter Storm Watch is in effect for the Northern and Central Oregon Cascades.
- Heavy snow accumulations of 10 to 18 inches are possible with wind gusts.
- The 2025-2026 winter snowpack is on track to be one of the worst on record.
A Winter Storm Watch is currently in effect for the Northern and Central Oregon Cascades, active from late Tuesday night through Thursday afternoon. Residents and travelers can expect significant snowfall, with potential accumulations ranging from 10 to 18 inches.
Accompanying the heavy snow, winds may gust as high as 35 MPH, creating hazardous driving conditions on roads, bridges, and overpasses, particularly during overnight hours. The heaviest snow is anticipated from Marion County south to Lane County.
Despite the forecast for this mid-week snow, the overall snowpack for the 2025-2026 winter season is exceptionally low. Snow water equivalent numbers across Oregon are 30% or less of normal, with many basins below 10%. This trend means the ski season at Mount Hood will likely be remembered as one of the worst on record.
Following the storm's passage, a ridge of high pressure is predicted to bring a warm and dry Easter weekend to the region.
