Pacific Northwest & Alaska Region•Capital: Salem
Oregon Snow Day Predictor
OR
Western Oregon has steep hills and maritime temperatures hovering near 32°F, making slush and freezing rain highly dangerous in Portland and the Willamette Valley.
Typical Closure Threshold
2 to 5 inches (Portland / Willamette Valley) | 6 to 12 inches (Cascades / Central OR)
Climate Classification
Maritime West / Cascade Alpine / High Desert East
Average Annual Snow Days
2–6 days (Valley) | 20–40 days (Cascades/Central OR)
Oregon Cities & School Districts
Select your city below for localized school closure probability forecasts and district contacts.
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Department of Transportation Plowing Operations
ODOT deploys snow equipment over Cascade passes (Santiam, Willamette, Mt. Hood) and manages Columbia River Gorge ice hazards.
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School Closure Decision Framework
Portland Public Schools (PPS) inspects the hilly West Hills routes before making closure or late-start announcements.
Oregon Snow Day FAQs
Q:Why does Portland close schools for 2 inches of snow?
Portland features steep terrain (like the West Hills), sub-freezing Gorge winds, and temperatures right around 32°F, which produce slick, wet ice on untreated roads.