Deschutes County road officials are making early closures to high-elevation roads as early-season snowfall continues to pile up in the mountains.

The county planned to close Cascade Lakes Highway and Paulina Lake Road at 7 a.m. on Thursday, five days earlier than previously announced, according to a press release.

The mountain roads will remain closed until spring, when the county can remove snow accumulation, which can exceed 5-10 feet. Typically, both roadways are opened ahead of Memorial Day.

Access to Cascade Lakes Highway will be blocked by a gate just beyond the Mt. Bachelor ski area parking lot. Feet of snow have already piled up on the mountain, prompting the ski resort to open for the weekend Friday, two weeks ahead of schedule, for pass holders only.

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Mt. Bachelor to open Friday for passholders only 

The National Weather Service forecast shows snowfall to continue throughout the week on the eastern slopes of the Cascades.

Meteorologists are predicting a La Niña winter, which means wetter and colder conditions on average for the Pacific Northwest.