The Oregon Department of Transportation and the Portland Bureau of Transportation are urging the public to avoid travel on Friday and Saturday, as severe weather could bring several inches of snow across the Willamette Valley creating hazardous road conditions.
The National Weather Service has advised PBOT to expect about 1 to 3 inches of snow starting as early as Friday afternoon and mostly accumulating Friday night and Saturday morning. Snow is expected throughout the region, including areas at low elevation such as downtown Portland.
Areas at 500 feet or higher above sea level -- including the West Hills, Mount Tabor and Pleasant Valley in East Portland -- could have 6 to 7 inches of snow. Those areas would likely be the first to see snowfall and experience the lowest temperatures.
Temperatures will remain below freezing through Tuesday, with high temperatures of 18 to 25 degrees on Saturday and Sunday. Snow and other precipitation on city streets on Saturday could refreeze and linger for several days -- creating hazardous conditions -- especially on streets that are not snow and ice routes.