The National Weather Service (NOAA) has issued winter storm warnings for mountain areas across Oregon this weekend from early Sunday November 27th, 2022 to Monday morning on November 28th, 2022. High winds and heavy snow is expected to make travel difficult to impossible in some areas.

Photo of a snow plow (Image courtesy of Oregon Department of Transportation)

Here are the affected areas and what you can expect this weekend:

• Winter Storm Warning - Northern Oregon Cascades.
  • 12-18 inches of snow is expected with depths up to 24 inches at higher elevations. Wind gusts up to 40 MPH will make reduced visibility likely and travel difficult. Affected area includes Government Camp, Detroit, and the Santiam Pass. Warning in effect from 4 AM Sunday to 10 AM Monday.
• Winter Storm Watch - Siskiyou Mountains, Southern Oregon Cascades, South Central Oregon Cascades, Eastern Douglas County Foothills.
  • Heavy blowing snow above 2,500 feet. 3-8 inches of snow possible with a foot at higher elevations. Wind gusts up to 50 MPH. Sunday evening through Monday afternoon.
• Winter Storm Warning - East slopes of the Oregon Cascades.
  • Heavy snow expected with accumulations of 6-13 inches above 4,500 feet. 3-8 inches below 4,500 feet. Wind gusts as high as 40 MPH. Travel expected to be difficult to impossible. Storm warning goes from 4 AM Sunday to 10 AM Monday.
• Winter Storm Watch - Northern Blue Mountains.
  • Heavy snow from 7 - 12 inches above 4,000 feet, and 4-7 inches below 4,000 feet. Wind gusts up to 45 MPH. Travel will be difficult to impossible. Affected area includes I-84 and Highway 204.  Southern Blue Mountains will also be affected, including Highway 395.  Storm watch in effect  from Sunday morning through Monday afternoon.
• Winter Storm Warning - Cascades In Lane County.
  • Heavy snow from 12 - 18 inches and wind gusts up to 35 MPH. Warning in effect from 4 AM Sunday to 4 PM Monday. Reduced visibility likely making travel very difficult.

Low visibility is likely due to blowing snow and high winds. Travel will be difficult to impossible in the affected areas.

It's safest not to travel in these snowy and windy conditions at all. If you must travel in the affected areas during this time, be sure to keep food, water, a flashlight, coats and blankets in your car in case of emergency. Have snow tires or chains.

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