Winter storm is coming to the Willamette Valley, Pacific Northwest. Are you ready?
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A cold front will bring snow and freezing rain to the Willamette Valley Thursday and Friday, and residents traveling for the Christmas holiday weekend or staying home should brace for impact.
When will the storm arrive?
Temperatures will start to drop Wednesday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service. Precipitation is expected to start Thursday afternoon. Snow and ice could start to accumulate by Thursday evening.
The Willamette Valley will likely wake up to freezing rain and frozen roads Friday morning, NWS forecaster Clinton Rockey told the Statesman Journal.
Ice will begin to accumulate late Thurs. By Friday A.M., most surfaces will be glazed over. Populated areas up & down I-5 corridor could pick up ~ 1/10-1/4” of ice. Lots of power outages expected. Pockets of Coast Range, metro area, Cascades & Gorge could see 1/4-1/2”+ of ice. pic.twitter.com/UHJnKkm8pt
— Jeff Forgeron (@WeatherJefe) December 21, 2022
Road conditions and safe driving
Freezing rain Thursday and Friday will cause slippery and dangerous driving conditions. Travelers should allow plenty of time to reach their destinations and be flexible with their plans.
Mountain passes could get especially snowy or could close. Check the Oregon Department of Transportation's TripCheck.com or call 511 for current road conditions before you hit the road.
It's not too late to prepare your car for the weather. Rory Tyler, owner of Point S Creswell Tire and Auto Service in Eugene, can get customers in with four-to-five hours' notice and has snow tires in stock.
Tyler's recommendation for driving in winter conditions? Lay off the brakes.
"There is a myth that drivers should pump their brakes on snow and ice," Tyler said. "With anti-lock brakes, the car will sense when a tire is slipping and compensate much quicker than any human."
Drastic movements like pumping the brakes too hard also will cause tires to lose traction. Instead, drivers should keep a safe distance between other cars and gradually correct if they feel their car starting to slide. Allow extra time and distance to slow down and come to a stop.
It's also smart to carry chains and know how to use them. Underinflating your tires slightly also will help with traction in icy conditions.
Benton County officials also recommend storing an emergency kit in your vehicle that includes a flashlight, snow and ice scraper, shovel, first-aid kit, blanket, food, water, jumper cables and a spare tire.
"We want the pubic to know that it's a good idea to have an emergency kit in their vehicle regardless of where they are traveling because conditions can change in a hurry in Oregon this time of year," said Benton County spokesperson Cory Grogan.
Snowplows may be out working to clear the roads. Give them extra space and never pass one on the right.
Prepare for power outages
Wind and ice accumulation could cause power outages, power companies and Eugene city officials said.
Pacific Power said it is preparing to address outages if and when they occur. Anyone who loses power should first check fuses and circuit breakers, Pacific Power said. If those don't bring power back, report the outage by calling 1-877-508-5088 or texting OUT to 722797.
Households also should prepare emergency outage kits with a flashlight, battery-operated radio, extra batteries, non-perishable foods, bottled water and blankets.
Warming centers
Cold wind from the Columbia River Gorge will make the air feel even colder than it is and increases the risk of frostbite. Warming centers will open in Salem and Eugene throughout the week.
If temperatures drop below 32 degrees, which they are forecasted to do Thursday, ARCHES' warming network will activate and warming shelters will open. Free transportation is available from the Day Center at at 615 Commercial St. NE.
Warming centers also will be open in Eugene at various libraries and community centers:
Downtown Library , 100 W. 10th Avenue
M-Th: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
F-Su: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Bethel Branch, 1990 Echo Hollow Road
M, W, Th, F, Sa: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Tu: 12-8 p.m.
Closed Sunday.
Sheldon Branch,1566 Coburg Road
M, W, Th, F, Sa: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Tu: 12-8 p.m.
Closed Sunday.
Community Centers:
Amazon CC is open until 5 p.m. M-F
Campbell CC is open until 7 p.m. on Mondays and then 4:30 T-F
Hilyard CC is open 9 a.m.- 5:30 p.m. M-F
Peterson Barn CC is 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. M-F
Sheldon CC is open 8 a.m.- 5:30 p.m. M-F
Send tips, questions and comments to reporter Shannon Sollitt at ssollitt@statesmanjournal.com
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: How to prepare for the winter storm in Oregon, Washington
