Oregon Coast Range Snow, Travel Issues Tonight Through Monday, Officials Caution

Published 3/03/24 at 7:05 p.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff

(Manning, Oregon) – Parts of Highway 26 in the Oregon Coast Range are a mess on this Sunday evening, with snow hitting the ground above 500 feet and already at least one closure has happened along the roadway. There are chances of snowflakes on the beaches, which has been reported in some areas, along with plenty of lightning and thunder on the shoreline as well. (Photo courtesy Washington County Sheriff's: road closure earlier on Sunday at Highway 26 and Highway 47 intersection)

ODOT has put out a weather alert for driving on Highway 26 and the National Weather Service (NWS) has a Winter Weather Advisory for the Oregon Coast Range.

It's turning out a dramatic day – with even chances of snowflakes in the Portland area, although it's not expected to stick.

Earlier Sunday, the junction at Highway 47 and Highway 26 was closed for a time due to a downed power line. Various cars slid off the road and Washington County sheriffs helped several vehicles in distress on the snowy route.

The troubles are expected to last into the morning: it's best advised to wait to travel over the Coast Range.

According to ODOT and the NWS:

“Additional snow accumulations of 2 to 5 inches likely through Monday morning. Plan on slippery road conditions. Snow accumulations will be variable over distance and elevation, due to the showery nature of the precipitation.”

The NWS said the advisory is in effect until Monday afternoon.

It is predicting continued snow / rain mix in the Coast Range throughout the week, with more chances of snow Wednesday and Thursday, although by later that day snow levels rise beyond any threat level for Highway 26's highest elevations. There still could be a snow / rain mix through Friday, however.

Call 5-1-1 or see TripCheck.com for updated conditions.

See Washington Coast Weather - Oregon Coast Weather

Thunder and lightning are putting on a show in several Oregon coast beach towns, including Newport. Temps are near freezing in many areas of the northern half of the coast and will dip further overnight. Along the southern coast, areas like Coos Bay or Gold Beach remain seasonably normal and in fact look sunny and mild later in the week.

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MORE PHOTOS BELOW

Snow in Nehalem several years ago

Below: snow on Highway 26 in previous years - Oregon Coast Beach Connection

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Andre' GW Hagestedt is editor, owner and primary photographer / videographer of Oregon Coast Beach Connection, an online publication that sees over 1 million pageviews per month. He is also author of several books about the coast.

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