PORTLAND, Ore. — The first big snowfall of the season has prompted a Winter Storm Warning through Monday night in the Cascades above 1,500 feet in elevation. KGW has issued a weather impact alert until 10 p.m. on Monday for the Cascades.
More than two feet of snow will fall at Mount Hood ski resorts with more than eight inches anticipated to accumulate on the roads, making for winter driving conditions.
"On paper this looks to be the wildest stretch of weather in terms of consecutive days we've had," KGW's meteorologist Rod Hill said. "It's certainly the biggest snow storm at pass level up in the Cascades happening right now that we have had so far this fall."
If driving through the Mount Hood pass, traction tires or chains will likely be necessary. Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) cameras show snow-covered roads all along the pass.
"This is the first significant snow at pass level with 24-hour below-freezing temps this fall," Hill said. "It looks like January on the hill!"
Snow accumulation is expected to surpass 50 feet on the ground at Timberline by Monday night.
Hill said snow-mixed rain could dip onto the roads in the coastal range through Monday night. The mix of rain likely means that the snow will not stick.
Heading into Tuesday afternoon, Hill said there's a high-wind advisory with the potential of 60-mph winds along the Oregon Coast, central Oregon and parts of the Columbia River Basin.
What are Weather Impact Alert days?
It’s our goal to make sure you have the most accurate and up-to-date information about the weather and its impact on you. The new KGW Weather Impact Alerts will be just that, alerts as far in advance as possible, so that you can be armed with accurate information to keep yourself and your family safe.
