The Portland area started to see snow, sleet, and freezing temperatures Thursday – and Mother Nature was just getting started.
A winter storm warning for the Portland area remains in effect until Friday afternoon, warning residents of a barrage of winter precipitation, high winds and ice. And the National Weather Service said it could get even more serious, with the potential for a “significant ice storm” between Portland and Salem starting Friday afternoon and heading into the weekend.
Many areas were already freezing on Thursday, with several crashes closing roads and delaying travel through the Portland area. A stretch of Northwest Germantown Road in the West Hills was closed indefinitelyfor example due to icy conditions and stationary cars.
Transportation officials warned of road closures, and law enforcement agencies urged people not to drive when not necessary.
Precipitation is expected to increase Friday and Saturday. But whether the Portland area gets frigid rain, snow, or a combination of both remains to be seen.
The weather service said the area is very likely to get between one and four inches of snow and then up to a quarter of an inch of icy rain. But the city could see more freezing rain – and less snow.
The weather service also predicted high winds will blow through the area for the next few days, with wind speeds of 15 to 25 mph and gusts of up to 40 mph.
The agency predicts that the temperature will reach 31 degrees in Portland on Friday. Highs are expected above freezing over the weekend, but nighttime temperatures through Saturday are expected to drop to the mid-1920s.
Snowfall is expected to continue over the weekend, with the weather service expecting between one and four inches of snow in Portland on Saturday.
Portland transportation officials reported four road closures on Thursday evening: Germantown Road; Northeast 33rd Avenue at Sandy Boulevard; Northeast Halsey Street from 80th Avenue to 84th Avenue; and Southwest Capitol Highway from Terwilliger to Barbur boulevards.
TriMet said Thursday evening that some of its bus routes would be diverted due to weather. MAX trains weren’t bothered by the weather, according to the carrier, but trains used ice cutters on some routes.
Meanwhile, more than 4,000 Portland General Electric customers were without power by 8:00 pm
Thursday brought tougher weather to the Columbia River Gorge.
The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office reported several accidents, poor visibility, and dangerous road conditions on Interstate 84 in the canyon. According to the agency, towing companies would likely take more than three hours to get to disabled vehicles.
A rare blizzard warning for the western part of the canyon also remains in effect until Friday afternoon.
-Jayati Ramakrishnan; 503-221-4320; [email protected]; @JRamakrishnanOR