PORTLAND, Ore. — Heavy snow in the mountain passes and in southern Oregon could impact Thanksgiving travel, and there's a chance of a mix of snow showers Tuesday in the Portland metro area, KGW meteorologist Rod Hill reports.
Snow levels near Mt. Hood have dropped to 2,000 feet and as much as 4 inches of snow could fall on Monday. The National Weather Service reports that as many as 10 inches could fall at Government Camp through Wednesday.
The National Weather Service said people should avoid traveling on Tuesday in the afternoon and evening. If you must travel, be sure to have a winter kit and chains or snow tires for your car.
Some drivers left Monday to get an early start and avoid the severe weather.
"Oh yeah, we don't want to be on the roads when the weather hits," said driver Julie Eagen. "Yeah, it can be scary."
The biggest trouble spot for Thanksgiving travelers is to the south. Hill reports that a low pressure center will bring cold, gusty east winds of up to 75 mph to southern Oregon on Tuesday and drop snow levels to 1,200 feet during the day and closer to sea level Tuesday night. Six to 12 inches of snow are expected to fall on the I-5 corridor in Oregon, and higher amounts in the Cascade passes.
The Siskiyou Summit will have heavy snow this week, and Coast Range passes may be icy and covered with snow. The National Weather Service reports the highest amounts are expected at Santiam Pass and southward.
"Eugene may see snow accumulations [Tuesday and Wednesday] and amounts over the southern Cascades will be much heavier than Mt. Hood," Hill said.
There's also a chance of a mix of snow showers over the Portland metro area on Tuesday night, which could develop into dustings of snow Wednesday morning.
The National Weather Service reports that snow levels could drop to 1,100 feet in the Portland metro area on Tuesday, with a chance of rain and snow showers between 11 p.m. and 3 a.m., and a chance of snow showers after 3 a.m. when the snow level drops to 300 feet.
