Road impacts to know about as heavy snow returns to the Cascades this weekend
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Rounds of heavy snowfall will return to the Cascades this weekend. With snow levels generally sitting around 3,500 feet tonight throughout the weekend, accumulating snow on the mountain passes is expected.
Mt. Hood Conditions
We'll see light snowfall accumulating on the passes as early as tonight, with light snow showers at times continuing through Friday afternoon. Snow on the roads will generally stay light through Friday.
However, weather models show a heavier round of snowfall arriving Friday evening into Saturday. That's when conditions could turn tougher for drivers over the passes. Models forecast 6 to 12 inches down to 3,500 feet by the end of the day Saturday with snow showers lingering into Sunday. Driver should expect compacted snow on the roadways.
All of this new snow will set up great ski conditions over the next several days. Snowfall will pick up significantly this weekend. Some forecasts predict up to two feet of new snowfall on the ski slopes by early next week. Happy shredding!
Columbia River Gorge + Upper Hood River Valley
Light snow showers are also possible in the Hood River Valley tonight through Thursday.
A strong easterly wind will keep cold air flowing from Eastern Washington into the Gorge today. As snow levels drop tonight to around 900 feet, snow showers or mixed showers are possible around Hood River, The Dalles, and the Upper Hood River Valley.
It's unlikely we'll see snow sticking along Interstate 84 overnight or into Thursday, but a dusting to an inch or so is possible in some of hillier neighborhoods at higher elevations in the central Gorge region.
We will also keep an eye on the chance for light icing as pockets of freezing rain may develop throughout Thursday in the Upper Hood River Valley.
In all, low-impact snowfall is expected on most roadways in the Gorge. But a taste of winter weather returns for the Gorge through Friday with a rainier set-up this weekend.
Stay with KOIN 6 News as this weather forecast continues to develop.