Salem-News.com Weather articles Page 59

Oregon Braces for Snow, Hurricane Force Winds

UPDATE: A very light snow shower began in the south and west Salem hills just after 8:45 this morning.

(PORTLAND, Ore. ) - The National Weather Service in Portland, Oregon has issued a Snow Advisory for the Portland-metro area from noon until 6:00 PM Saturday afternoon.

Snow showers are expected to develop this afternoon, but will mix with rain at lower elevations. The level for sticking snow is expected to be around 500 feet and rise to 1000 feet early Saturday evening. Accumulations of 1 to 2 inches are possible, mainly above 500 feet.

Skiers Beware! Avalanche Watch in Northern Oregon Cascades

Back country travelers should be very aware of the significantly increasing Avalanche Danger over the weekend and into early next week.

(SALEM, Ore.) - An Avalanche Watch has been issued by the National Weather Service for the Olympics, Washington Cascades and the Mt. Hood area for Sunday and Monday.

With an already unstable snowpack in place, abundant new snowfall mid-to-late Saturday and Sunday is expected to combine with increasingly strong winds and a warming trend mid-to-late Sunday into Monday, to produce a substantial increase in Avalanche Danger both Sunday and Monday.

Light Snow Showers Could Hit Willamette Valley on Saturday

Rain showers are in the forecast for the 111th civil war between Oregon and Oregon State Saturday in Eugene.

(SALEM, Ore. ) - The National Weather Service in Portland, Oregon says a cold low pressure system from British Columbia will spread precipitation over the state this weekend. The precipitation may begin as snow, or a rain and snow mix in the north Willamette Valley and the I-5 corridor.

Snow showers will turn to all rain by Saturday evening.

Inside you will find elevations for cities in the Central and Southern Willamette Valley, as well as elevations for selected Oregon passes.

Snow Advisory Issued for Oregon Cascades, Coast Range

STAY WITH SALEM-NEWS.COM FOR ALL THE LATEST OREGON SNOW STORM WEATHER INFORMATION.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - The National Weather Service in Portland has issued a Snow Advisory until midnight tonight for the Oregon Coast Range and until 5:00 AM Thursday for the Oregon Cascades.

2 to 4 inches of snow is likely in the north and central coast range. For the Cascades, snow will continue through the night with snow falling above 2000 feet. The heaviest snow will fall between 6:00 PM and midnight, when 2 to 4 inches of new snow is expected.

Icy Roads Reported in Several Parts of Washington County

More ice will probably form by morning, please allow time to travel in the morning.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Washington County Sheriff's deputies say they are responding to several reported crashes due to icy road conditions.

At the time of this report, there are no serious injuries involved in any of the crashes in Washington County, but a fatal crash currently has Lafayette Highway closed near McMinnville. That head-on crash is blamed on an icy bridge.

Freezing Fog Blamed Partly in Multi Car Crash on I-5

One driver was seriously injured and had to be extricated by emergency responders.

(ALBANY, Ore.) - Police say freezing fog contributed to hazardous driving conditions early Sunday morning in southern Linn County.

It kept officers and emergency responders busy covering numerous traffic crashes included one on Interstate 5 north of Harrisburg that closed the freeway for at least two hours.

Ice and Freezing Fog Cause Multiple Vehicle Crash on I-5 Freeway

Slick roads are taking drivers by surprise, so ODOT advises to Be aware!
For the latest Oregon travel conditions, call 5-1-1.

(HALSEY, Ore.) - Northbound Interstate 5 has reopened following the removal of several crashed vehicles with at least one injury, along a six-mile stretch of the freeway between the Harrisburg (Exit 209) and Sweet Home-Halsey (Exit 216) exits.

Freezing fog and subsequent icy conditions caused a semi truck and its trailer to jackknife across both northbound lanes I-5 about one mile south of the Halsey-Sweet Home interchange (Exit 216) just before 5:00 AM Sunday.

Several vehicles then crashed into the semi, closing northbound lanes.

Dangerous High Tides Prompt Oregon Beach Alert

Sneaker waves become especially dangerous at times of high tides and during winter storms.

(NEWPORT, Ore.) - Forecasters say they are concerned by predictions of tides 10 feet or higher this week, and the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is urging beachcombers on holiday coastal visits to be particularly cautious.

Just this past weekend, a Monmouth woman was swept out to sea and drowned while hunting for agates in the Taft area of Lincoln City. "This is a good time to keep an eye on the ocean," said OPRD beach safety education coordinator Robert Smith. "Even the most experienced beachcombers can be caught unaware unless they stay alert."

Holiday Travel Troubles Across Much of the U.S.

Rain is in the forecast for cities like Detroit, Chicago, and St. Louis, while cities farther south like Louisville, Memphis, and Houston will have the risk for thunderstorms.

(STATE COLLEGE, Pa.) - Forecasters say a high located in Atlantic Canada will keep the interior Northeast chilly on Monday. By Tuesday, milder air will make its way into the region.

A storm will brew in the Mississippi Valley by Wednesday, and it will bring messy weather to the East on the busiest travel day of the year. Drivers should use caution on the roadways.

Oregon Cascades Under Snow Advisory Until Midnight

Chains are required for motorists traveling to Mount Hood on Highway 26.

(SALEM, Ore. ) - The National Weather Service has issued a Snow Advisory until midnight Monday for the north and central Oregon Cascades.

Snow levels in the Cascades today will range from 1,500 feet near Mount Hood to 2,000 feet in the Willamette Pass, and could go as low as 1,000 feet in some parts of the Cascades.