Oregon Snow Day Forecast & School Closings

Snow Days per Year1–15+ (varies by region)
Snow SeasonNovember through March (mountains October–April)

Oregon's terrain creates dramatic snowfall contrasts. The Cascade Mountains receive some of the heaviest snow in the United States, while Portland averages around 4–6 inches per year and coastal cities often see little to none. Eastern Oregon experiences colder winters and regular snow, while the Willamette Valley sees infrequent but disruptive snow events that frequently trigger school closures.

Active Closures & Delays

Sources update throughout the morning. Always confirm with your school district for the latest information.

No closures or delays reported in Oregon today.

Snow Zones in Oregon

Cascade Mountains 150–500+"/yr

High elevations including Government Camp and mountain passes receive very heavy snowfall. School closures in mountain communities are common during winter storms.

Eastern Oregon 15–40"/yr

Pendleton and Bend experience colder winters with regular snowfall and extended snow cover. Closures occur several times most winters.

Willamette Valley 2–8"/yr

Portland, Salem, and Eugene see infrequent but disruptive snow. Even 2–4 inches can cause widespread school closures due to hills, ice, and limited plowing infrastructure.

Southern Oregon 2–10"/yr

Medford and surrounding Rogue Valley areas experience occasional snow and freezing rain. Impacts vary by elevation.

Oregon Coast 0–2"/yr

Astoria and coastal communities rarely see measurable snow. Maritime air keeps most winter precipitation as rain.

Major School Districts in Oregon

Portland Public Schools
Multnomah County · 43,000 students
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Salem-Keizer Public Schools
Marion County · 39,000 students
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Beaverton School District
Washington County · 38,000 students
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Hillsboro School District
Washington County · 19,000 students
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Bend-La Pine Schools
Deschutes County · 18,000 students
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Eugene School District 4J
Lane County · 16,000 students
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Medford School District
Jackson County · 14,000 students
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Corvallis School District
Benton County · 6,500 students
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Notable Winter Storms

January 1950 Snowstorms Heavy mountain snow; significant valley totals
Jan 1950

A series of winter storms brought significant snowfall across Oregon, particularly in the mountains and parts of the Willamette Valley. The event remains one of the benchmark winter periods in state history.

Columbus Day Storm Mountain snow; historic wind event
Oct 12, 1962

Primarily remembered as one of the strongest windstorms in Pacific Northwest history. Mountain snow accompanied widespread wind damage and power outages.

February 1937 Snowstorm Up to ~15" (Portland)
Feb 1–3, 1937

One of the largest snowfall events in Portland history. Heavy snow caused transportation shutdowns and multi-day school closures.

January 2017 Snow & Ice Event 6–12" (Portland metro)
Jan 10–12, 2017

A prolonged snow and ice event brought significant accumulation to the Portland area, causing widespread school closures and transportation disruptions.

Snow Day FAQ

How many snow days does Oregon get per year?

Mountain communities experience frequent winter closures. Eastern Oregon typically sees several snow days most winters. The Willamette Valley averages a few closures during snowy winters, while coastal areas may see none.

Will school be closed tomorrow in Oregon?

It depends on the forecast, storm timing, and local road conditions. Enter your ZIP code above to see the latest closure and delay probabilities for your area. Predictions update automatically as National Weather Service forecasts change.

What triggers a snow day in Oregon?

In the Willamette Valley, even 2–4 inches of snow can close schools due to steep terrain and icy roads. Eastern Oregon generally has a higher threshold due to greater snow removal capacity.

Does Oregon use virtual snow days?

Many Oregon districts use remote learning options during severe weather, particularly after expanded digital infrastructure following COVID.

Which part of Oregon gets the most snow?

The Cascade Mountains receive the most snowfall. Locations such as Crater Lake and Timberline Lodge often record several hundred inches annually.

Snow Day Forecasts by State

Check snow day probabilities for your area. We track school closures, weather alerts, snowfall reports, and 7-day forecasts for all 50 states — from lake-effect blizzards in the Midwest to rare southern snow events.

Great Lakes & Midwest

Lake-effect snow drives some of the highest school closure rates in the country. Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin regularly see multi-day storms, while Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois face both lake-effect bands and arctic cold fronts. The region averages more snow days per year than nearly anywhere else in the U.S.

Northeast & New England

Nor'easters and coastal storms make the Northeast a snow day hotspot. From Buffalo's lake-effect events to Boston's blizzards and Vermont's mountain snowfall, winter weather closures are a regular part of the school year. Major metros like New York City and Philadelphia see widespread closures when storms hit during commute hours.

Northern Plains & Rockies

Blizzards, high-altitude snowfall, and extreme cold define winter across this region. Mountain passes in Colorado, Utah, and Montana can receive over 200 inches annually, while plains states face wind-driven whiteouts that close schools even with modest accumulations. Wind chill regularly triggers closures across the Dakotas and Nebraska.

Appalachia & Mid-Atlantic

Moderate snowfall totals here mask outsized disruption. With lower preparedness and fewer plows, a 3-inch storm in Virginia or North Carolina can close as many schools as a 10-inch storm in the Northeast. Ice storms are especially dangerous across the Appalachian range, often causing multi-day closures.

South & Gulf States

Snow is rare across the Deep South and Gulf Coast, but when it arrives, it's a regional event. Minimal winter infrastructure means even a dusting can trigger widespread school closures. Ice storms pose the biggest winter threat, and states like Texas and Georgia can see citywide shutdowns from storms that would barely register further north.

West Coast & Pacific

Winter weather varies enormously across the West. Alaska sees months of snow and extreme cold, while Pacific Northwest cities face occasional ice storms and wet snow. Mountain areas from the Cascades to the Sierra Nevada measure snowfall in feet. Desert Southwest states rarely see snow at lower elevations.