Salem-News.com Weather articles Page 50

NOAA Rates Thursday`s Tornado in Washington as an EF-1

"In the big scheme of things this was not a monster tornado, but around here this is about as big as they get." - Andy Bryant of the NOAA

(VANCOUVER, Wash.) - A tornado made a touchdown in Washington state today, knocking power lines out, ripping trees out of the ground, and blowing the roofs off of homes. It reportedly moved out of Vancouver and traveled northeast. Weather experts in the NW say the potential of the tornado causing more damage is very possible.

There were no reported injuries today in Washington, but KGW-TV reports that people have experienced extreme weather conditions including four-inch hail, high winds and dark clouds. Along with those conditions came numerous sightings of above ground twisters, or funnel clouds.

Northwest Storms Continue (VIDEO)

Possible Santa Ana Wind event next week is predicted by forecasters.

(SALEM ,Ore.) - Weather forecasters say another Pacific storm moving into the Northwest today will spread rain across the lower elevations and snow in the mountains above 3,000 feet. The storm track over the next few days will push to the north, sending new Pacific storms toward western Canada.

A steady rain today will fall along the coasts of Washington and Oregon as the low pressure area moves into southern British Columbia. Some areas of the Cascades could get another foot of snow on top of the record-breaking snow that has fallen over the past week. High pressure building into the Northwest this weekend will create an offshore flow in Southern California.

Icy Conditions in Washington County Lead to Fatal Crash

One man died and another was LifeFlighted from the scene, it was one of many serious crashes in Portland today.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - This morning Washington County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to multiple car crashes after the temperature dropped below freezing and black ice formed on the roadways. One crash resulted in the death of a Cornelius man.

This morning around 7:49 AM, Washington County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a reported head-on crash on N.W. Cornelius-Schefflin near N.W. Long Road, Sheriff's Office Spokesman David Thompson said.

Snowslide Covers Oregon`s Santiam Pass

Eight commercial vehicles and one sport utility vehicle were trapped in the area until it was cleared by ODOT crews.

(SANTIAM JUNCTION, Ore.) - Oregon State Police troopers again assisted Oregon Department of Transportation crews Wednesday with the Highway 20 closure at Santiam Pass caused by a large snowslide.

According to Oregon State Police Senior Trooper Mike Brady, a westbound sport utility vehicle became stuck at about 10:00 PM last night, causing two commercial trucks behind it also having to stop and became stuck.

Fourteen-Year Old Girl Dies Of Injuries From Traffic Accident

"The Salem Police Department offers our sincere condolences to the Garcia family for their loss." - Lt. Dave Okada, Salem Police

(SALEM, Ore.) - Fourteen-year old Salem student Alma Garcia-Martinez died this afternoon as a result of injuries sustained in a traffic accident two days ago in Salem during freezing weather.

Alma was riding in the rear seat of a 2003 Ford Explorer that was heading northbound at about 6:30 AM on Portland Road at Interstate 5. Her mother, Alma Rosa Olivares-Martinez was driving, according to Lt. Dave Okada with Salem Police.

U.S. Highway 20 Opens Through Santiam Junction

Crews clear the road after four snow slides in less than 18 hours.

(SANTIAM JUNCTION, Ore.) - The Oregon Department of Transportation reopened U.S. 20 just before noon on Wednesday following four snow slides in less than 18 hours at mile posts 78.5 - 80.

The latest series of slides occurred Tuesday, January 8th just after 10:00 PM and just before midnight, says Joseph Harwood with the Department of Transportation. "The second slide covered the highway in an estimated 12 - 15 feet of snow. Although several vehicles were stuck in the snow, there were no reported injuries."

Another Day, Another Storm for the Northwest (VIDEO)

Gusts over 50 mph from Washington to Northern California.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Forecasters report that the latest in a stream of Pacific storms will slam the Northwest with wind, rain, and snow that will create hazardous travel conditions, especially in the mountains, today. By tonight, the latest storm will bring gusty onshore winds to coastal areas from Washington to northern California.

A warm front associated with another Pacific storm will approach The Oregon coast this evening. Sustained winds ahead of this front will increase to 25 To 40 mph along the Central Oregon coast early in the evening then spread to the North Oregon coast mainly south of Tillamook by late Evening.

Oregon College`s Landmark Oak Tree Toppled

Howard Leichter, professor of political science, heard the tree fall from his office in Pioneer Hall, located 50 feet from the tree.

(McMINNVILLE, Ore. ) - Linfield College's Old Oak tree, one of the most recognized landmarks on campus, crashed to the ground yesterday.

The Oregon White Oak tree, estimated to be some 250 years old, toppled toward the Linfield Oak Grove, burying the senior bench in the soggy ground. No one was injured and the concrete bench appears undamaged.

Overnight Snowslides Close Highway 20 Again

Crews hoped to have a single lane of traffic open by 9:00 AM.

(SANTIAM JUNCTION, Ore. ) - Two additional snow slides late Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning have covered part of U.S. 20 near the Santiam Junction. The Oregon Department of Transportation says this is the third time they have closed U.S. Highway 20 in 24 hours as snow continues to slide onto the highway between mile posts 78.5-80. Current estimates put the snow at 12-15 feet deep across the highway as snow continues to slide.

Snow Grinds Santiam Pass to a Halt Tuesday Morning

ODOT reported at 2:00 PM that the slide at mile post 79 had been cleared, reopened, and that traffic was moving normally through the area.

(SANTIAM PASS, Ore.) - Oregon State Police troopers assisted Oregon Department of Transportation crews today with intermittent highway closures, while responding to several snowslides on Highway 20 at Santiam Pass.

Joseph Harwood with ODOT says the series of snow slides closed Highway 20 at milepoint 78.5 near Santiam Junction.