April 13, 2026, 8:22 a.m. PT
A winter storm watch has been issued for Oregon’s mountain roads from the afternoon of April 14 by means of the evening of April 15.
The National Weather Service forecasts that between 10 to 20 inches of snow might fall on mountain passes, with winds gusting up to 45 mph.
Travel might be difficult at occasions above 3,500 toes, significantly on U.S. Highway 20 on Santiam Pass and Highway 58 on Willamette Pass. Snow can also be doubtless to influence the Government Camp and Mount Hood space.
NWS stated the heaviest snow is anticipated between Mount Jefferson and Willamette Pass.
“Hazardous conditions possible over Cascade passes,” NWS wrote in a warning. “Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous.”
The snow shall be useful however not almost sufficient to make a dent in Oregon’s deep “snow drought” within the mountains, caused by the warmest winter on record. The state has the smallest quantity of snow on document, at present simply 5-10% of regular in western Oregon, and 12% of regular statewide.
Mount Bachelor and Timberline Lodge are the one two ski areas that stay open in Oregon — and Bachelor is closing April 19.
Zach Urness has been an outdoor reporter in Oregon for 18 years and is host of theExplore Oregon Podcast. He might be reached atzurness@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 399-6801. Find him on X at @ZachsORoutdoors and BlueSky atoregonoutdoors.bsky.social
