Oregon, located in the Pacific Northwest, joined the U.S. in 1859. The state’s name origin remains unclear. With 4.2 million residents over 98,000 sq mi, Oregon is the 9th largest and 27th most populous state. Indigenous nations have inhabited the region for millennia. Forming an autonomous government in 1843, Oregon became the 33rd state. Salem is the capital, and Portland, the largest city, anchors a vibrant metropolitan area. Are you about to visit Oregon? If so, you may have a question: does it snow in Oregon? Of course, it does. However, the amount of snowfall varies depending on where you are visiting. Here’s everything you need to know about snowing in Oregon.
Does it snow in Oregon?
Yes, Oregon does experience snowfall, particularly in certain regions and during the winter months. The Cascade Range, which runs through the state’s center, including areas like Bend and Eugene, tends to receive more snow. Snowfall amounts in this area range from 300 to 550 inches (760 to 1,400 cm) per year. Higher elevations and mountainous regions in Oregon tend to have colder winter temperatures, making them more prone to snow accumulation. The Blue Mountains in eastern Oregon receive between 380 and 760 inches of snow annually.
Snowfall is relatively rare in the western part of Oregon, including cities like Portland and along the coast. The coastal plain gets a minimal snowfall per year (1-3 inches), including years with no snow. The east part of the Cascades, where I live in a mountain area, also gets snow. Besides, it does not in the southeastern part, and the largest northern valleys and the south-central part also get small snow.
When does it snow in Oregon?
Oregon experiences snow from November to April, with the core winter season spanning December to March. However, due to the state’s elevated terrain, snowfall can commence as early as November and persist until April.
November: Start Snowing
Average temperatures: Highs of 57°F (13.9°C) to lows of 27°F (-2.8°C).
November signals the transition from fall to winter in Oregon. It starts snowing in the Cascade mountain region.
December: Start snowing in high mountain elevates in Oregon
Temperature range: 11°F (-11.7°C) to 42°F (5.6°C).
Coastal areas like Seaside experience minimal snowfall, while inland areas, particularly the Cascade Mountains, see significant accumulation.
January: Oregon experiences the most snowfall
Lowest temperatures: 10°F (-12.2°C).
January is the coldest month in Oregon. Coastal areas, such as Astoria, record 0.4 inches (10 millimeters) of snow over 0.6 snowfall days. In the Cascade Mountains, Crater Lake Park experiences snowy days.
February: Many places experience snow
Daytime highs: 55°F (12.8°C), nighttime lows: 25°F (-3.9°C)
Consistent snowfall is observed in the mountains, with Crater Lake Park recording up to 75 inches (1,905 millimeters) of snow.
March: Minimal snowfall
Temperature range: 59°F (15°C) to 37°F (3°C) in the central region.
Coastal towns record minimal snowfall, while in the mountains, such as Crater Lake, snow persists until late April. The highest annual snowfall on record, 903 inches (2,290 cm), occurred at Crater Lake in 1950.
Snowfall in April
Snow depths diminish by the end of April, reaching 40 to 120 inches (100 to 300 cm) in the Cascades and 5 to 45 inches (13 to 114 cm) in the Blues.
Where does it snow in Oregon?
Have a look at the table, where we have added the most snowy and popular areas of Oregon to experience snowfall.
| Location | Details |
| Crater Lake | Crater Lake, located in Klamath County, experiences an annual snowfall of 463 inches. The snow cover averages 11.58 feet, and it is notable for being the deepest lake in the U.S., having received 903 inches of snow in 1950. |
| Mount Hood Meadows | Positioned in Hood River County, Mount Hood Meadows boasts an annual snowfall of 322 inches, with a snow cover averaging 79 inches. Notably, Mount Hood has 12 glaciers, enabling skiing year-round. |
| Mount Bachelor | Located in East Central Oregon, Mount Bachelor witnesses an annual snowfall of 374 inches, with a snow depth of 69 inches. It experiences snow eight months a year, with December being the snowiest month. |
| Sisters | Sisters, named after the Three Sisters peaks, receives an average snowfall of 32 inches. Notably, it experienced over 100 inches of snow during the winter of 1992-1993. |
| Mount Hood Village | Mount Hood Village, with a population of 5,497, has an average annual snowfall of 59.5 inches. |
| Baker City | Baker City, with a population of 9,777, experiences an average annual snowfall of 36.1 inches. |
| Klamath Falls | Klamath Falls, with a population of 21,261, sees an average annual snowfall of 35.3 inches. It is known for both its cold temperatures and snowy winters. |
| Altamont | Altamont has an average annual snowfall of 35.2 inches. |
| Deschutes River Woods | Deschutes River Woods witnesses an average annual snowfall of 30.4 inches. |
| Hood River | Hood River, with a population of 7,412, experiences an average annual snowfall of 27.2 inches. |
| Bend | Bend, a city with a population of 81,780, has an average annual snowfall of 23.6 inches. |
| Oatfield | Oatfield, sees an average annual snowfall of 20.5 inches. |
| Molalla | Molalla, with a population of 8,726, experiences an average annual snowfall of 20.5 inches. |
| Redmond | Redmond witnesses an average annual snowfall of 17.3 inches. |
| Sunriver | Sunriver, situated on the eastern banks of the Deschutes River, has an average snowfall of 60 inches. It is notable for its Mediterranean climate with snowy January and February. |
| LaPine | LaPine, located in Deschutes County, sees an average snowfall of around 81 inches per year. |
| Astoria | Astoria, the oldest city along the Columbia River, experiences an average snowfall of 2 to 3 inches. Notably, it had over 27 inches of snowfall at the end of December 1969. |
| Klamath Falls | Klamath Falls, the county seat of Klamath County, witnesses an average snowfall of about 36.5 inches. It is known for both its cold and snowy winters. |
| Salem | Salem, the second-largest city in Oregon and the state capital, sees its first snow in November and last snow in March. The snowiest month is February, with an average snowfall of 1.18 inches. Salem experiences snowfall on 3.4 days, with a total snowfall of 6.2 inches. |
| Portland | Does it snow in Portland? Portland, the largest and most populous city in Oregon, experiences winter temperatures ranging from lows of 35.8°F to highs of 48.7°F. The snowiest month is March, with an average of 1.6 snowfall days and a total snow accumulation of 1.5 inches. |
| Crater Lake (Details) | Crater Lake, located in Klamath County, has a snow season from September through July. It boasts an average annual snowfall of 482.5 inches, with the coldest month being December (average: 18.1°F or -7.7°C). The snowiest month is December, with 91.1 inches of snow. Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the U.S., with an elevation between 7,000 feet and 8,000 feet and dimensions of 8 by 9.7 kilometers. |
Skiing in Oregon
- Mt. Bachelor: (Popular Ski Resort)
- Location: Near Bend
- Vertical Drop: 3,365 feet
- Skiable Acres: 4,300
- Notable: Sixth-largest ski resort in the U.S.
- Mt. Hood Meadows
- Location: Close to Portland
- Vertical Drop: 4,477 feet
- Skiable Acres: 2,150
- Note: Offers high-alpine terrain for all skill levels
- Mt. Hood Skibowl
- Location: Government Camp
- Vertical Drop: 1,500 feet
- Skiable Acres: 960
- Notable: Largest night skiing area in the U.S.
- Timberline Lodge: (Popular Ski Resort)
- Location: Mt. Hood
- Vertical Drop: 4,540 feet
- Skiable Acres: Not specified
- Note: Open at least ten months of the year
- Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort:
- Location: Eastern Oregon (near La Grande)
- Vertical Drop: 900 feet
- Skiable Acres: 1,100
- Note: Relaxed atmosphere with powdery snow
- Hoodoo Ski Area:
- Location: Atop Santiam Pass
- Vertical Drop: 1,035 feet
- Skiable Acres: 800
- Notable: Popular among families
- Mt. Ashland:
- Location: Just north of the California border
- Vertical Drop: 1,150 feet
- Notable: Features a cirque, a giant glacial bowl
8. Willamette Pass
- Location: Klamath Country, West Central Oregon
- Vertical Drop: 1,573 feet
- Skiable Acres: 555
- Notable: Steepest run (“RTS”) at 52 degrees
9. Cooper Spur Ski Area
- Location: North side of Mt. Hood
- Vertical: 350 feet
- Skiable Acres: 50
- Notable: Suitable for families with affordable pricing
10. Spout Springs Ski Area
- Location: Blue Mountains of northeastern Oregon
- Status: Abandoned since 2017-2018 season (Seeking revival)
Why does it snow in Oregon?
Oregon experiences snowfall primarily due to its climate and geographical features. The presence of mountains, inland valleys, and proximity to the Pacific Ocean plays a significant role in the occurrence of snow in various parts of the state. Here are some key factors contributing to snowfall in Oregon:
Pacific Ocean Influence
The Pacific Ocean, located to the west of Oregon, moderates the state’s climate. Moist air masses from the Pacific bring precipitation, including snow, when they encounter colder temperatures.
Mountainous Terrain
Oregon has several mountain ranges, including the Cascade Range and the Wallowa Mountains. These mountains influence local weather patterns and contribute to the development of snow. As moist air moves inland, it is forced to rise over the hills, leading to cooling and precipitation, which can fall as snow at higher elevations.
Inland Valleys
Inland valleys like the Willamette Valley can experience snowfall, especially during colder winter months. Cold air can become trapped in these valleys, forming snow.
Elevation Variations
Regions at higher elevations, including mountainous areas and certain cities, are more likely to experience snow. The temperature typically decreases with altitude, and locations at higher elevations often have cooler conditions conducive to snowfall.
Latitude
Oregon’s northern latitude contributes to colder temperatures during winter, increasing the likelihood of snow. The state’s diverse geography, with areas at different latitudes, allows for variations in winter weather conditions.
It’s important to note that the specific amount and frequency of snowfall can vary across different regions of Oregon. Coastal areas may receive milder temperatures and less snow than mountain regions and inland valleys. Additionally, seasonal and short-term weather patterns, such as cold fronts and low-pressure systems, can influence the occurrence of snow in specific areas.
