Weather
Oregon Winter 2026-27: Bend, Eugene Thanksgiving Snow?
Portland, OR – Thanksgiving travelers across Oregon could encounter rain and wet highways as a new holiday outlook points toward typical late fall weather. For drivers heading from Portland toward Ben
By Lauren Beckett · 2026-10-23T08:40:00.145Z
Portland, OR – Thanksgiving travelers across Oregon could encounter rain and wet highways as a new holiday outlook points toward typical late fall weather. For drivers heading from Portland toward Bend or crossing the Cascade Mountains, the biggest unanswered question is whether snow levels could affect mountain roads before Thanksgiving on Thursday, Nov. 26.
According to the Farmers' Almanac's Oct. 19 update, its Pacific Northwest forecast region favors periods of rain from Monday, Nov. 23, through Thanksgiving Day, covering Oregon, Washington and Idaho.
The publication does not provide specific rainfall totals, city level forecasts or confirmed snowfall predictions for Portland, Eugene, Bend or Oregon's mountain passes.
Geography makes an important difference across the state.
Portland and Salem frequently experience rainy November weather, while Eugene and other Willamette Valley communities can encounter wet roads during passing Pacific weather systems.
Higher elevations in the Cascades can experience snow when temperatures are sufficiently cold, even while lower valleys receive rain.
Santiam Pass on U.S. 20, Willamette Pass on Oregon Route 58 and Government Camp along U.S. 26 are important mountain travel areas where snow levels and road restrictions may become relevant.
NOAA's November outlook favors above normal temperatures across portions of the Pacific Northwest, although the warmth signal is weaker in Oregon than farther north.
Along the Pacific Northwest coast, NOAA assigns equal chances to above , near or below normal precipitation for November.
Those monthly probabilities do not establish conditions for Thanksgiving week.
Looking beyond the holiday, NOAA's winter 2026 27 outlook favors warmer than normal temperatures across the Pacific Northwest under the broader influence of El Niño.
That seasonal pattern does not eliminate cold snaps, Cascade snowfall or winter driving hazards.
For travelers, I 5 through Portland, Salem and Eugene, I 84 through the Columbia River Gorge and U.S. 26 toward central Oregon are important routes to monitor.
Could Oregon see snow by Thanksgiving 2026? Mountain snowfall is historically possible, but the supplied Almanac outlook does not confirm snow at any specific pass during Nov. 23–26.
Travelers should check National Weather Service forecasts and Oregon Department of Transportation reports closer to departure for snow levels, traction requirements and highway conditions.