A powerful winter storm is pounding the Cascade Mountains of Washington and Oregon this week, triggering broad travel warnings as forecasters call for several feet of new snow, whiteout conditions, and dangerous mountain pass travel through at least Thursday afternoon.

State transportation officials and the National Weather Service are urging drivers to delay nonessential trips across the Cascades as heavy snowfall combines with strong winds to create treacherous roads and the potential for road closures, chain requirements, and power outages in high-elevation communities and resorts.

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Storm Slams Cascades With Feet of Snow and Fierce Winds

The storm system moved into the Pacific Northwest early on January 6 and intensified overnight, drawing in colder air over the higher elevations of the Cascades while delivering widespread rain to the lowlands.

Meteorologists report that snowfall totals of two to four feet are expected along much of the Cascade crest in Washington by the time the system exits on January 8, with localized amounts potentially higher on exposed ridgelines and ski areas.

In Oregon, the National Weather Service has placed the Cascades under a series of winter storm warnings and advisories, projecting one to two feet of snow above 2,500 to 3,500 feet through Thursday.

Forecasters warn that the heaviest bursts of snow will arrive in waves, with particularly intense bands Wednesday afternoon and evening. During these periods, snowfall rates could exceed one inch per hour, quickly covering plowed roads and sharply reducing visibility for anyone on the move.

The storm is also producing strong, gusty winds across many of the higher passes and ridge tops. Gusts of 35 to 50 miles per hour are expected in parts of the Washington and Oregon Cascades, conditions that can drive blowing and drifting snow, topple tree branches, and raise the risk of scattered power outages around mountain towns, recreational cabins, and ski areas.

Weather service offices have stressed that the combination of deep snow and strong winds will make travel difficult to impossible on some stretches of highway.

Travel Warnings and Advisories Blanket Mountain Passes

On Wednesday, January 7, multiple National Weather Service offices and state agencies renewed and expanded winter storm warnings for the Cascades, explicitly calling out the danger for motorists attempting to cross key passes.

In Washington, warnings issued through the Seattle forecast office cover the Cascades of Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish, King, Pierce, and Lewis Counties, where two to four feet of snow and hazardous winds are forecast through 4 p.m. Thursday.

Farther south and east, the Pendleton, Oregon forecast office has posted winter storm warnings for the east slopes of the Oregon Cascades and the upper slopes of the eastern Washington Cascades crest.

Additional accumulations of up to 20 inches of snow are expected into Thursday afternoon in these areas, along with winds gusting as high as 45 to 50 miles per hour.

Forecasters there note that very low visibility and rapid snow accumulation will create extremely dangerous driving conditions, especially at night and during peak snowfall bands.

In central and southern Oregon, winter weather advisories and storm watches cover the south central Oregon Cascades, including well-traveled corridors near Diamond Lake, Crater Lake, and key high country routes.

For many of these zones, the National Weather Service is forecasting total accumulations of one to two feet at higher elevations, and between five and nine inches in lower yet still mountainous terrain.

Travelers are urged to monitor updated advisories closely as conditions evolve through Wednesday and Thursday.

Highways 26, 20, 58 and Washington Passes Under Strain

Transportation agencies in both states are highlighting several mountain corridors as particular trouble spots. In Oregon, the National Weather Service and state transportation officials have flagged major east-west routes such as U.S.

Highway 26 over Government Camp, U.S. Highway 20 through Santiam Pass, and Oregon Highway 58 over Willamette Pass for especially hazardous conditions on January 7 and 8.

Heavy snow above about 2,500 feet is expected to impact these corridors, with one to two feet of accumulation at pass level and sustained periods of low visibility.

Snowplow crews are operating around the clock, but authorities emphasize that during the heaviest bursts of snow, roads can quickly become snow-covered again. Drivers could encounter packed snow, ice, drifting, and sudden whiteout pockets, especially on open stretches and near exposed summits.

Chains or traction tires are likely to be required at times, and closures or extended delays are possible if conditions deteriorate faster than crews can respond.

On the Washington side of the Cascades, passes such as Snoqualmie, Stevens, and White Pass are also bracing for major impacts. With widespread predictions of two to four feet of snow in the surrounding mountains, motorists can expect frequent traction requirements, convoying behind plows, and potential temporary shut-downs for avalanche control or collision response.

Officials advise that those who must cross the mountains should plan for extra travel time, prepare for the possibility of being stuck for extended periods, and check for the latest pass reports before departure.

Warnings Emphasize “Delay Travel” Across the Cascades

As the storm intensified, language from National Weather Service bulletins across the region grew increasingly direct. Several warnings explicitly state that people should consider delaying all travel in the affected mountain zones until conditions improve.

Where travel is unavoidable, motorists are urged to drive with extreme caution and carry a full winter storm kit, including tire chains, booster cables, a shovel, blankets, extra clothing, food, water, and a flashlight.

Forecasters caution that the combination of heavy snow, very low visibility, and strong winds could make it difficult for first responders to reach stranded vehicles quickly.

The risk is particularly acute during nighttime hours and in more remote stretches of highway, where cell coverage can be patchy and temperatures can drop quickly. In these areas, even minor mechanical issues or spinouts can evolve into more serious emergencies.

Officials are also asking commercial drivers and those hauling trailers or recreational vehicles to think carefully before embarking on mountain routes during the warning period. High-profile vehicles are more susceptible to crosswinds and can struggle with traction on steep, snow-packed grades.

A single jackknifed truck can block narrow sections of highway and trigger long backups in severe weather, compounding risks for everyone behind.

Impacts on Ski Resorts, Outdoor Recreation, and Local Communities

The storm is delivering a substantial boost to the regional snowpack that supports ski resorts and winter recreation across the Cascades. Resorts in both Washington and Oregon are reporting heavy snow totals, with some higher-elevation areas likely to measure new snow in multiple feet by Thursday.

Powder conditions will be enticing for advanced skiers and snowboarders, but ski operators are simultaneously warning guests to prepare for difficult travel to and from mountain areas and to respect any terrain closures triggered by increased avalanche danger.

Backcountry enthusiasts are being urged to exercise extreme caution or postpone trips while the storm is ongoing and in the immediate aftermath. Rapid snowfall, strong winds, and complex snow layering can significantly elevate avalanche risk on leeward slopes and in bowls and chutes, especially above treeline.

Avalanche centers in the region are expected to issue high or considerable danger ratings for many mountain zones, and experts note that human-triggered slides are more likely during and just after major snow loading events.

High-elevation communities and resort towns scattered along the Cascades are also bracing for disruptions. Local authorities are preparing for the potential of brief power outages from falling tree branches and for challenges clearing secondary roads and driveways while crews focus on main transportation routes.

Residents and seasonal visitors are being advised to have enough supplies on hand to remain self-sufficient for at least several days and to avoid unnecessary trips until snow removal operations have gained ground.

Lowland Rain, Coastal Hazards, and Broader Regional Effects

While the spotlight is on the deep powder in the high country, the storm is also affecting lower elevations across the Pacific Northwest with widespread rain, gusty winds, and coastal surf hazards.

In the Portland metro region and much of western Oregon and Washington, the system is bringing periods of moderate to heavy rain, contributing to ponding on roads, slick commutes, and minor urban drainage issues.

Along the Oregon and south Washington coasts, forecasters have posted alerts for high surf conditions through January 7 and 8, with breakers that could reach 20 to 25 feet in some areas.

These large waves can produce dangerous surf, sweep unsuspecting visitors from rocks and jetties, and lead to minor beach erosion. Coastal residents and travelers are being advised to stay well back from the waterline, avoid tide pools and headlands exposed to direct wave impact, and observe the ocean from a safe distance.

Inland river systems are currently expected to remain mostly within banks, but forecasters will continue monitoring rainfall amounts and snow levels closely. Future storms arriving on top of a saturated landscape and deepening snowpack could create more substantial hydrologic concerns later in January.

For now, officials stress that the greatest immediate threat remains hazardous mountain travel and winter storm impacts in the Cascades themselves.

How Travelers Can Prepare and Stay Informed

For those who cannot postpone travel across the Cascades during this week’s storm, early and thorough preparation is essential. Authorities recommend checking the latest mountain pass reports and weather updates immediately before departure and again en route whenever possible.

Conditions can change rapidly in the high country, and a pass that is open with traction tires required in the morning can move to chains required or even a temporary closure later in the day.

Drivers should equip their vehicles with winter tires or carry properly sized chains and know how to install them in adverse conditions.

A basic emergency kit with extra warm clothing, gloves, hats, food, drinking water, a snow brush and ice scraper, a headlamp or flashlight, and a phone charger can make a major difference if stranded for any length of time.

Officials also advise keeping your fuel tank at least half full before entering mountainous terrain and letting someone know your planned route and estimated arrival time.

Travelers flying into Seattle, Portland, or regional airports and then heading into the mountains for ski trips or cabin stays should build flexibility into their plans.

Shifting arrival times, selecting lower-elevation accommodations as a backup option, or arranging transportation that can adapt to changing road restrictions may help reduce the risk of becoming stuck on the wrong side of a pass when conditions shut down travel.

FAQ

Q1: Where are the worst travel conditions expected in this storm?
Forecasters say the most hazardous conditions will be along the Cascade crest and major passes in Washington and Oregon, including routes such as Snoqualmie and Stevens Pass in Washington and highways 26, 20, and 58 in Oregon, where one to four feet of snow and strong winds are expected through Thursday afternoon.

Q2: How long will the winter storm warnings remain in effect?
Most of the current winter storm warnings for the Cascades in Washington and Oregon are in effect through the afternoon of Thursday, January 8, though specific start and end times vary by forecast zone and may be updated as the storm evolves.

Q3: Should I cancel or delay my trip across the Cascades?
National Weather Service bulletins and state transportation agencies strongly recommend delaying nonessential travel over Cascade passes during the peak of the storm, noting that heavy snowfall and very low visibility could make driving extremely dangerous or even impossible at times.

Q4: What kind of snow totals are expected in the mountains?
Many higher elevation areas in the Washington Cascades are forecast to receive between two and four feet of new snow, while the Oregon Cascades are expected to see one to two feet in many locations, with locally higher amounts possible on ridgelines and at ski resorts.

Q5: Will this storm affect flights into Seattle and Portland?
Major airports in Seattle and Portland are primarily dealing with rain and gusty winds rather than heavy snow, so while isolated delays are possible due to weather and air traffic flow, the greatest impacts are expected on ground transportation into the mountains rather than on long-haul flights themselves.

Q6: Is it safe to visit ski resorts during the storm?
Ski resorts will benefit from significant new snow, but travel to and from the mountains could be hazardous, and some lifts or terrain may be closed due to wind or avalanche concerns, so visitors should monitor resort and road updates closely and be prepared to adjust plans.

Q7: What are officials advising drivers to carry in their vehicles?
Authorities urge motorists to travel with chains or traction devices, a shovel, booster cables, blankets, extra clothing, food, water, a flashlight, and a fully charged mobile phone in case they become stranded in deep snow or prolonged traffic delays.

Q8: How will this storm affect backcountry and avalanche risk?
The rapid loading of new snow combined with gusty winds will likely increase avalanche danger on many backcountry slopes, especially near and above treeline, and avalanche experts recommend extreme caution or postponing backcountry travel until conditions can be carefully reassessed.

Q9: Are lowland cities in Washington and Oregon expecting snow from this system?
For this storm, most lowland areas including Seattle and Portland are forecast to see rain rather than snow, with snow levels generally remaining high enough that significant accumulations will be confined to the Cascades and higher foothills.

Q10: What is the best way to stay updated on changing conditions?
Travelers should monitor National Weather Service forecasts, state transportation road reports, and local media outlets for real-time updates on pass closures, chain requirements, and any changes to winter storm watches and warnings affecting their intended route.