National Weather Service issues winter weather advisory for snow 

Posted on December 17, 2012 at 4:30 p.m.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) — The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a winter weather advisory for snow which is in effect from midnight to 11 a.m. Tuesday for the I-5 corridor in Southwest Washington and the Willamette Valley in Oregon and may make travel difficult, especially in the hills. The traveling public is advised to be prepared for snow covered roads and limited visibility and to use caution. 

NWS predicts that snow will begin to accumulate in elevations above 500 feet after midnight, drop to the valley floor during the early morning hours Tuesday and rise above 500 feet Tuesday afternoon. “Snow will likely accumulate on the higher hills with amounts ranging from one to three inches and small accumulations up to one inch are possible in heavier showers in the lower elevations.” For more information, see http://inws.wrh.noaa.gov/weather/alertinfo/8280965. 

Landmark elevations above 500 feet in Portland include the Barbur Transit Center, OHSU, Powell and Rocky buttes, I-5 near Capitol Highway, Mount Tabor, Sunset/Sylvan exit, top of West Burnside, Mount Scott and Council Crest. 

In snow and ice conditions, the traveling public is advised to be cautious, slow down, use headlights, allow extra stopping distance and share the road responsibly. Motorists should make sure their vehicles are equipped with an emergency kit, chains and a full tank of gas, their tires are at the proper pressure and they have an alternate plan to get to and from work. Motorists driving in the hills or other chain zones should be ready to use chains if conditions are snowy or icy. 

Transportation crews are monitoring conditions and will continue routine operations to keep streets safe and clean. The City’s snow and ice fleet is serviced and ready to go and anti-icing chemicals are stocked. If a storm arrives, crews will patrol emergency response routes, major transit routes, bridges, overpasses and known trouble spots, and treat as needed. 

The City recommends Portlanders monitor conditions where they are traveling, watch the forecast, and use www.PublicAlerts.org as their source for winter storm updates. The site provides links to weather forecasts, street closures, highway road conditions, transit schedules and service alerts, and other emergency information.