Heavy snow coming to Cascades, pass travel impacted with nearly a foot of snow

PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — A Winter Storm Warning will go into effect at 5 p.m. this afternoon for the southwest Washington and Oregon Cascades.

Heavy snow, up to 20 inches, is expected to fall over the next 48 hours. At pass level, a foot of snow could fall.

WEATHER | Latest Storm Tracker 2 Forecast

“The incoming spring storm will bring significant snow to the Cascades, especially the central mountains,” Storm Tracker 2 Digital Meteorologist Bobby Corser said.

Winds will gust as high as 45 mph in the Cascades, NWS Portland and Pendleton said in their warning messaging.

In the Willamette Valley and along the Oregon Coast, rainfall will total over an inch in most places. Gusty winds will increase on Tuesday afternoon as the cold front pushes southeastward.

The rain and snow will begin to taper off Thursday morning.

High pressure will build into the region as dryer and warmer conditions move in.

The brief 48-hour respite will come to an end on Sunday as another area of low pressure moves down the coast.