A winter storm warning has been issued for Oregon’s Cascade mountain passes while snow is also expected in the foothills and Coast Range from Sunday into Monday, likely making travel challenging.
Mountain snow is forecast to continue Tuesday and Wednesday before heavy rain could bring flooding later in the week, according to the National Weather Service in Portland .
Heaviest snow on Cascade passes
From 10 to 30 inches of snow is forecast at the highest Cascade Range passes including Santiam Pass (Highway 20), Willamette Pass (Highway 58) and the Government Camp area on Mount Hood (Highway 26/35).
The storm warning is in place from 10 a.m. Sunday to 10 p.m. Monday. Winds could gust up to 45 mph.
“Travel could be very difficult,” wrote the National Weather Service . “Patchy blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility.”
Above the passes, at elevations above 5,500 feet at places such as Timberline Lodge, 3 to 4 feet of snow is possible.
Another 4 to 10 inches of snow appears possible on the passes Tuesday.