Winter Storm Hits Portland, Causing Hazardous Conditions and School Closures
Portland, OR – A severe winter storm is currently affecting the Portland-metro area, with freezing rain expected to transition to snow in the early hours of Friday. Winter Storm Warnings remain in effect until at least 10 a.m. Friday, while some regions, including Salem and Wilsonville, are under Ice Storm Warnings until 4 a.m.
Reports indicate that an additional half to one inch of snow could accumulate on top of existing ice, creating particularly treacherous road conditions. TriMet has advised commuters to avoid travel and is running out-of-service MAX trains overnight to prevent freezing. Schools across the region, including Portland Public Schools and Beaverton School District, have announced closures.
Dangerous conditions observed earlier in the day included up to 30 vehicle crashes near Multnomah Falls, emphasizing the need for caution on the roads. As temperatures are forecasted to drop below freezing, any wet surfaces are likely to refreeze overnight. By Friday morning, most areas in the Columbia River Gorge will still be icy, making travel inadvisable.
While some areas may see milder temperatures later in the day, lingering cold will slow the thawing of roads, particularly at higher elevations. The Portland Bureau of Transportation has urged residents to stay off the roads during the storm, and emergency shelters are open for those in need of warmth and safety.
Authorities are closely monitoring the situation as a third round of snow and freezing rain is predicted for Friday morning. Local officials continue to reinforce safety messages, underscoring the importance of remaining indoors if possible during the storm.
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