An ODOT traffic camera shows wintry conditions on Hwy 126 west of Veneta.
ODOT Tripcheck
Low elevation snow is causing travel difficulties in parts of Oregon, and weather advisories continue at higher elevations.
Oregon Highway 126 was closed for several hours Monday morning due to a crash west of Noti, but later reopened. Traffic cameras showed snow-covered pavement in the area. Snow is also impacting travel on several mountain passes along I-5 in southwest Oregon.
On Monday morning, snow was reported in parts of Eugene and Corvallis, but it did not affect travel in those cities. The National Weather Service is not predicting significant snowfall on the valley floor, but says snow could mix with rain several times through the week in lower elevations.
How low will the snow go? There is a threat for impactful snow Wednesday a.m., especially for elevations >500 feet. Accumulating snow at the valley floor from Longview to Eugene is possible but not likely, based on latest forecast. Stay tuned. #orwx #wawx #pdxtst pic.twitter.com/d0CX6PXfIK
— NWS Portland (@NWSPortland) December 13, 2021
Drivers are urged to use caution and to view latest road conditions by visiting ODOT’s website, tripcheck.com.
The weather was causing some isolated school cancellations and early closures for Monday. Check with your school district website for details.
Several winter weather advisories are still in effect throughout Oregon until 4 p.m. Monday, as snow continues to fall along the Cascades and Coast Range.
Up to 4 inches could still fall on the North Oregon Cascades through midnight, and travelers should expect slippery conditions through the passes.
Along the Coast Range south of Salem, snow levels dropped Monday morning below 500 feet. The snow level is expected to stay between 1,000 and 1,500 feet through Tuesday. Snow in the Southern Oregon Cascades could freeze on the roadways overnight.
The National Weather Service in Medford says people should look out for black ice during Tuesday morning’s commute.
OPB’s Jeff Thompson contributed to this report.