Heavy Snow Hits Cascades as Pacific Northwest Braces for Fierce Storm

Winds along the coast could peak at 60-65 mph, with offshore gusts exceeding 80 mph. The Columbia River Gorge and parts of Central Oregon may also face winds up to 45-60 mph. Residents and travelers should prepare for significant weather impacts, including power outages and travel disruptions. Meteorologists urge caution and recommend staying updated with the latest forecasts as the storm unfolds.

A Storm Tracker 2 Weather Alert remains active for the Oregon Coast Range and Cascade mountain passes, as snow continues to accumulate across the region. Over the past 24 hours, Government Camp has received more than a foot of fresh snow.

“Snow levels will stay low enough to bring more accumulation in the foothills and mountain passes as the next weather system arrives Tuesday afternoon into the evening,” said Storm Tracker 2 Meteorologist Rhonda Shelby. “Travelers in the Cascades should prepare for extreme winter driving conditions.”

The Winter Storm Warning is set to expire at 10 p.m. Monday, but the National Weather Service (NWS) predicts an additional 10-15 inches of snow above elevations of 2,000 feet. “Travel may range from very difficult to impossible. Hazardous conditions could significantly impact both the Monday morning and evening commutes,” NWS Portland advised.

On Tuesday, a powerful Pacific storm is expected to hit the Pacific Northwest, bringing high winds along the coast and gusty east winds near Portland.

“Many areas could see significant impacts and potentially damaging wind gusts,” Shelby said. “Coastal winds may reach 60-65 mph on the beaches and exceed 80 mph offshore. Central and North Central Oregon could experience southerly gusts near 60 mph Tuesday afternoon or evening. Additionally, the Columbia River Gorge may see strong east winds, with gusts between 40-45 mph from Multnomah Falls to The Dalles.”

High-resolution models indicate that wind speeds will depend on the storm’s precise track, Shelby added.

Stay updated with Storm Tracker 2 Meteorologist Dave Salesky, who will provide forecasts at 5 p.m. on KATU’s Digital Edition, 8 p.m. after Monday Night Football, and 11 p.m. on KATU News.