Portland, OR— Meteorologists say Thanksgiving week in western Oregon will bring steady wet weather, but no major travel disruptions for most of the region. While rain is expected each day leading into the holiday, more significant concerns such as mountain snow will likely hold off until Black Friday and the weekend.
Rainy Start to the Holiday Week
Forecasters with the National Weather Service report that a series of mild Pacific systems will keep western Oregon wet between November 24 and November 27, delivering periodic showers and occasional heavier bursts of rainfall.
According to NWS meteorologist Tom Schuldt, rain will be the dominant weather pattern across the region, with the heaviest showers expected the night of November 25. Even then, Schuldt emphasized that the system appears fairly typical for late November.
“It’ll be mostly rain with no major surprises,” Schuldt explained. “Nothing we’re expecting should create significant impacts for travelers ahead of Thanksgiving.”
Mountain Snow Minimal Before Thanksgiving
While lower elevations will see only rain, Oregon’s Cascade Mountains could see light snow early in the holiday week. A small amount of accumulation — around half an inch — may fall at the passes on November 25, but temperatures should stay too warm for any meaningful buildup.
This means major travel crossings such as:
- Santiam Pass (Highway 20)
- Willamette Pass (Highway 58)
- Government Camp / Mount Hood (Highway 26)
…are expected to remain mostly wet rather than snowy before and on Thanksgiving.
Schuldt noted, “Snow levels will start out on the lower side on November 25 before climbing quite a bit. So we simply aren’t expecting any widespread snow issues heading into Thanksgiving Day.”
Thanksgiving Day: Wet, Mild, and Mostly Travel-Friendly
On Thanksgiving, travelers across western Oregon can expect:
- Showers throughout the day
- Temperatures staying on the mild side for late November
- Wet highways but no significant wind or flooding issues
The predicted conditions should allow for normal travel across interstates, city highways, and coastal routes. While drivers will still need to be cautious on slick roads, meteorologists stress that no major hazards are expected.
Black Friday Brings a Shift Toward Colder Weather
The real changes begin after Thanksgiving.
Between November 28 and November 30, cold air is expected to drop into the region, lowering snow levels and raising the likelihood of snow-covered Cascade passes.
“That’s when things get a little more interesting,” Schuldt said. “It will be cold enough for snow, but we still don’t know how much moisture there will be. That will determine how significant the snow becomes.”
Even if snowfall remains light, colder surfaces and freezing temperatures could make mountain travel more challenging.
Holiday Weekend Travelers Should Stay Alert
Meteorologists are urging anyone planning to cross the Cascade Mountains between Black Friday and Sunday to monitor updated forecasts closely. Any shift in moisture or temperature could turn a routine drive into one requiring chains or traction tires.
“If people are traveling November 28 through 30 across the passes, they should keep a close eye on the weather,” Schuldt advised. “Conditions may change quickly.”
Meanwhile, travel across the rest of western Oregon is expected to remain wet but manageable through the long weekend.
Are you traveling across the mountains this Thanksgiving weekend, or staying local? Drop a comment below — and tell us how the weather may affect your holiday travel!
