Oregon’s transition from warm and sunny skies to rain and cool weather is forecast to get underway Oct. 10 and continue into the weekend and beyond.
Two weather systems will bring rain to the valleys and foothills while mountain snow is forecast for the first time this fall above 5,000 to 6,000 feet — possibly impacting travel on Cascade passes.
The cool and wet weather appears poised to stick around, likely meaning the end of both wildfire season and the warmer fall days that reach the upper 70s and 80s.
“It seems like we’ve probably seen our last 80 degree day of the year,” said Daniel Hartsock, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Portland. “Most of what we’re seeing in the forecast is a jet stream that’s bringing rainy and cooler weather.”
NOAA’s Climate Prediction Service is forecasting a wetter than normal October for the Pacific Northwest.
Rain coming to Oregon in two waves this weekend
Two systems of wet and cool weather is forecast to hit western Oregon, with lighter showers arriving Oct. 10-11, and heavier rain coming Oct. 12-13.
Totals of 0.5 to 1.5 inches of rain is forecast in the Willamette Valley while the coast, foothills and mountains could see 2 to 3 inches.
Snow possible above 5,000 feet in Oregon’s Cascade Mountains
In the higher elevations of the Cascade Mountains — including mountain passes — snow will be possible for the first time this fall.
A foot of snow could fall at Timberline Lodge and elevations above 6,000 feet, Hartsock said. Anyone hunting, backpacking or fishing in the alpine regions of the Cascades should be prepared for cold, wet and snowy conditions.
Will the snow impact Oregon Cascade Mountain highways?
It’s unclear how low the snow will drop and whether it will impact Oregon’s main Cascade Mountain passes, such as Santiam Pass (Highway 20), Willamette Pass (Highway 58) and the Government Camp area (Highway 26).
“We’re not expecting much snow to accumulate on the (mountain pass highways) because they’re still pretty warm. But we could see some snow in the trees and on the side of the roads,” Hartsock said.
This photo from October of 2024, shows what Oregon could see this weekend — light snow falling on the edges of Cascade Mountain roads.
Rain likely a ‘season ending event’ for Oregon wildfires
The upside of the cool and wet weather likely means the end of wildfire season in Oregon.
“Hopefully,” said Hartsock when asked if this would qualify as a fire season ending event. “It’ll depend on how much rain we get, but there’s a good chance that it will be.”
Wet and cool weather likely to stick around in Oregon
Long-range forecasts are favoring wetter than normal weather across October and cooler weather the next six to 10 days.
Zach Urness has been an outdoors reporter in Oregon for 18 years and is host of the Explore Oregon Podcast. He can be reached at zurness@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 399-6801. Find him on X at @ZachsORoutdoors and BlueSky at oregonoutdoors.bsky.social
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Heavy rain and mountain snow forecast to hit Oregon this weekend
