science environment

NW Oregon And SW Washington Hunker Down As Winter Storm Hits

By Julie Sabatier (OPB) and Conrad Wilson (OPB)
Portland, Oregon Dec. 7, 2016 11:41 p.m.

An unusually strong winter storm is bearing down on Southwest Washington and Northwest Oregon Thursday.

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Residents in Eugene woke up to a dusting of snow Thursday morning, which has since turn to freezing rain. Meanwhile, Portland city offices and school districts in the metro area closed Thursday in anticipation of the storm.

According to the National Weather Service, that storm is working its way north up the Willamette Valley and could drop between one and three inches of snow throughout the day, followed by a quarter inch of freezing rain.

"We’re expecting today as the morning continues to see increasing snow across the Portland metro area, perhaps a few rounds of some heavier bursts of snow," Matthew Cullen, a meteorologist with the NWS in Portland told OPB. "And as we get into the afternoon, particularly after three or four o’clock were expecting to see kind of a mix freezing rain, sleet and snow for a period of time."

Cullen said those conditions would continue through Thursday evening.

In Salem, the flakes began flying mid-morning. Adam Gallardo, a clerk at The Book Bin in downtown Salem, said business was slower than normal at the bookstore. He suspects holiday shoppers were staying home with their kids.

"I grew up in Idaho and when I was a kid there had to be like a foot of snow on the ground before they'd ever close," Gallardo said. "Here, they seem to close school at the mere threat of some foul weather."

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High winds, along with the ice and snow accumulation, are expected to disrupt travel throughout the day and could lead to power outages. Cullen has advised people to stay off the roads and avoid traveling if they can.

Pacific Power spokesman Tom Gauntt said the company is prepared for outages, with crews ready to respond across the region.

He recommended people look out for one another in the event of a power outage.

"Check on your neighbors, anyone you know might be a little more isolated," Gauntt said. "Make sure they're OK, see if you can help out. Also, you might find someone who happens to have power in the neighborhood and maybe you can recharge your phone with them or get some hot water."

By Wednesday afternoon, school districts throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington had announced cancellations or delays ahead of the storm.

Winter weather is also expected in southern and eastern Oregon on Thursday as the system moves across the state.

But relief isn't far away. Temperatures are expected to warm Friday, though it's unclear if they will rise enough to melt away any snow accumulation.

This story was updated Thursday, Dec. 8, 2016 at 9:47 a.m.

This story was published on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2016 at 3:41 p.m.

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