Dusting of Snow for Much of NW Oregon Tonight a March Curiosity

Published 03/09/26 at 6:55 p.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Portland, Oregon) – No crazy snow storms. No accumulation. It's really just a March, pre-spring oddity.

Snow either returns tonight or is about to hit for the first time to areas of northwest Oregon and southwest Washington. Showery conditions will persist through tonight as a cold air mass kicks in across the region, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

“Snow returns today - Tuesday with snow levels falling to 1000-1500 ft tonight,” the NWS said. “Early tomorrow morning, light snow is possible down to 500 ft & a rain/snow mix with no accumulation expected to the valley floor north of Salem. Check road conditions in the Cascades before traveling.”

Snow levels are forecast to drop to roughly 500-1000 feet late tonight, mainly north of Salem, while the chance of any dusting south of Salem has largely faded – even for the higher elevations.

The Cascades in Oregon and especially Washington may be another matter, however. See full forecasts Oregon Inland Weather

The NWS said precipitation in the Cascades will remain mostly snow, with Winter Weather Advisories continuing through at least Tuesday afternoon. Advisories for the North Oregon Cascades and the Marion and Linn County Cascades will remain in effect until Wednesday afternoon.

NWS computations shows a 10-20% chance of accumulating snow below 500 feet in the Portland-Vancouver metro, increasing to 20-30% in higher terrain such as the West Hills. In the Cowlitz County lowlands, the chance of measurable snow is around 20-30%, with only a 5-10% chance of reaching one inch. The agency said travel impacts are unlikely in the lowlands and will be limited mainly to elevations above 1000 feet.

See Oregon Coast Highway 101 / Coast Range Traffic with all traffic cams

The Coast Range remains near the rain-snow line, with advisory-level snowfall of two inches or more most likely in the Willapa Hills and the north Oregon Coast Range. Probabilities vary widely by elevation, ranging from about 10% to 40%, and the NWS said major routes such as Highways 18 and 26 should remain in good shape.

Snow levels will rise quickly to 3500-4500 feet by Wednesday morning, ending concerns for the passes, though the south Washington Cascades may hold colder air slightly longer.

The Oregon coastline will see none of this, and if any snow falls in urban hills it's not going to be more than a dusting - and a March curiosity.

Along the Oregon coast, the agency said large waves will become the main hazard later in the week, especially north of Tillamook.

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