Weather
Oregon Thanksgiving Travel Alert: Mountain Snow Could Affect I-84 Nov. 22-28
Portland, OR – Oregon residents preparing for Thanksgiving and Black Friday travel could encounter changing weather conditions November 22 28, with rain in lower elevations and possible mountain snow
By Paige Sullivan · 2026-11-15T00:35:56.805Z
Portland, OR – Oregon residents preparing for Thanksgiving and Black Friday travel could encounter changing weather conditions November 22 28, with rain in lower elevations and possible mountain snow among the concerns as a wetter than normal pattern is favored across portions of the state.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's NOAA Climate Prediction Center, eight to 14 day outlooks issued Saturday, November 14, favor above normal precipitation across portions of Oregon during Thanksgiving week.
The precipitation outlook includes Oregon within a broader Pacific Northwest region where wetter than average conditions are favored, although probabilities vary across the state.
These outlooks measure the likelihood of above normal precipitation totals during the seven day period. They do not predict specific storms or establish the chance of rain or snow on Thanksgiving Day.
Could Oregon See Snow or Freezing Rain?
Rain would generally be more likely in lower elevation communities, including Portland, Salem, Eugene, Corvallis and coastal areas such as Astoria and Newport, if Pacific weather systems move through.
However, snow remains possible across the Cascade Mountains and higher elevations of northeastern Oregon if precipitation arrives alongside sufficiently cold temperatures.
Mountain communities and travel corridors near Government Camp, Santiam Pass and Willamette Pass could experience winter conditions under the right weather pattern.
Freezing rain could also develop in colder inland valleys or the Columbia River Gorge if surface temperatures fall below freezing while warmer air remains overhead.
No specific ice event or winter storm has been confirmed.
Thanksgiving and Black Friday Travel Outlook
Thanksgiving falls Thursday, November 26, followed by Black Friday on November 27.
Drivers traveling Interstate 5, Interstate 84, U.S. Highway 26 and Oregon Routes 22 and 58 should monitor updated forecasts.
Rain could reduce visibility and create wet roads, while mountain snow could make higher elevation routes slippery.
The Columbia River Gorge also warrants attention if colder air develops.
However, NOAA's extended outlook does not identify specific hazardous travel periods, snowfall totals or heavy rainfall amounts.
For now, Oregon faces a potentially wetter holiday period, with coastal and valley rain the primary concern and mountain snow worth monitoring.