Winter weather advisory for Marion and Linn County Cascades until 5 p.m. Wednesday, snow above 4,500 feet (Oct. 28)

Willamette News Staff

2 hours ago

2 min read

An ODOT snowplow clearing a snowy highway near Santiam Pass in the Oregon Cascades — An ODOT plow near Santiam Pass in December 2015. File photo for illustration. Photo: Oregon Department of Transportation / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Quick Read

The National Weather Service in Portland issued a Winter Weather Advisory Wednesday morning for the Cascades of Marion, Linn and Lane counties, in effect until 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28.
Snow is expected above 4,500 feet, with a trace to 3 more inches, and the heaviest totals in the Marion and Linn County Cascades.
Forecasters say roads, especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick, which matters for drivers heading over Santiam Pass on OR-22 and US-20.
A separate advisory for the North Oregon Cascades runs until 11 p.m. Wednesday, with up to 6 inches above 6,000 feet.

SALEM, Ore. - The National Weather Service in Portland issued a Winter Weather Advisory at 8:17 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28, for the Cascades of Marion and Linn counties and the Cascades of Lane County. It runs until 5 p.m. Wednesday.

Forecasters expect snow above 4,500 feet, with additional accumulations of a trace to 3 inches. Snow showers are expected throughout the day and should gradually ease this evening. The weather service says the highest totals will be over the Marion and Linn County Cascades.

The Salem area and the valley floor are not under the advisory. The snow level matters for anyone driving east from Salem, since Santiam Pass on OR-22 and US-20 sits near 4,800 feet.

Where it applies

The advisory covers the Cascades of Marion and Linn counties and the Cascades of Lane County. A second Winter Weather Advisory covers the North Oregon Cascades and the South Washington Cascades until 11 p.m. Wednesday, with 1 to 3 inches of new snow above 4,500 feet and 3 to 6 inches above 6,000 feet.

What to do

The weather service says roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous. Forecasters advise keeping a winter emergency driving kit in the car, including a flashlight, batteries, blankets, a shovel, water, non-perishable food and tire chains, and walking with extra care on slick surfaces.

As of mid-morning Wednesday, ODOT TripCheck showed no closures or chain requirements posted for Santiam Pass. Conditions can change quickly, so check TripCheck or call 511 before heading over the mountains.

Willamette News will update this post if the weather service extends or upgrades the advisory.