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Tuesday morning travel updatesTuesday Jan. 9, 2024 Contacts:
Winter is hitting Oregon hard this week with snow, high winds and cold in many parts of the state. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) sees the first severe storms of the season with blizzard conditions including near zero visibility starting today. Last night I-84 in eastern Oregon saw multiple closures for crashes and spun-out vehicles that struggled to gain traction on snowy roads. U.S 97 is snow covered from Redmond south to the border with California and blizzard conditions are due to hit the corridor south of Bend. All mountain passes, both high and low elevation, are already seeing the impacts of this storm. High winds combined with heavy precipitation will cause travel impacts. Expect to encounter chain restrictions if traveling these areas. Delays and closures are common during storms of this magnitude. The Portland area may get some light snow Tuesday night or Wednesday morning. Be prepared to drive in the snow and make sure you have a capable vehicle to get you where you need to go. Cars with low clearance will struggle in packed snow or where roads have been plowed onto side streets. Tripcheck.com has real time updates for conditions happening on the roads. No matter where you are in Oregon, prepare for challenging conditions in the days to come. For even more winter weather driving tips, see winter travel news packet. |
ODOT travel advisories
Severe winter storm hitting many parts of the state
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ODOT advisory committee meetings for May
Several advisory committees holding public meetings in May are listed below
Sunday, March 31 is the deadline to remove studded tires
According to a press release form the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), studded tires must be removed by Sunday, March 31. No extension of the studded tire season is expected.
"We encourage everyone to take off their studded tires before March 31, especially if you won't be driving in the mountains," advised Galen McGill, State Maintenance and Operations Engineer.
ODOT Issues Winter Driving Warning
"A winter storm is expected in the Columbia River Gorge, mountain passes, and possibly Portland area this week
Winter storms not done with Oregon yet as wind, ice and snow continue
Hazardous winter driving weather is far from done in Oregon as freezing rain, heavy snow and high winds continued in several area of the state.
The expected Wednesday thaw never quite materialized as roads in western Oregon remained slick in many areas. Ice covered trees and branches brought down power lines while highway crews continued their battle with the elements.
The National Weather Service forecast for Thursday and Friday call for continued freezing rain in the Coast Range, the Columbia River Gorge, Portland area and the Cascades.
National Weather Service Update for Coast Range
* WHAT...Significant icing expected. Total snow accumulations of
up to one inch and ice accumulations of around four tenths of
an inch.
* WHERE...Coast Range of Northwest Oregon and Central Coast
Range of Western Oregon.
* WHEN...From 10 AM to 10 PM PST Tuesday.
Winter storm 2024 photos
The first winter storm of 2024 to hit Lincoln City and surrounding towns left most of the area glazed in an ever thickening sheath of ice.
From D River to Roads End the falling rain clung to road signs and cars and gutters forming icicles that caused the town to shimmer against the dull gray sky surrounding us.
National Weather Service Alert
WINTER STORM WATCH NOW IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH
LATE SATURDAY NIGHT...
National Weather Service Alert for snow and cold weather
Anyone with travel plans over the Cascade passes and/or through the coastal mountains will need to be well prepared for dangerous travel conditions due to a combination of heavy snow and blowing snow.
Winter camping options in Oregon
According to Lucas Alberg, writing for Travel Oregon, winter doesn't have to mean the end of camping and outdoor recreations.
Crews will close one lane of OR 18 for tree removal
The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) announced temporary road closure/delays.
"Expect one lane of OR 18 from milepost 9 to 19 along the H.B. Van Duzer Forest State Park to be closed for tree removal starting Monday, Dec. 4.
The work will be done from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The work is scheduled to be completed by Dec. 14. Work is weather dependent.
Travelers can expect 20-minute delays on this section of OR 18. Flaggers will be in place with the use of a pilot car to guide motorists around the work crews. The work zone will be spread over 10 miles.
