Over 200 schools and districts in northwest Oregon, including Portland Public Schools, Beaverton School District, and Salem-Keizer School District, suspended classes on Thursday due to a snowstorm that began around 6 a.m. in Salem and reached Portland three hours later.
By 5 a.m. Thursday, the three largest districts in Oregon—PPS, Salem-Keizer, and Beaverton—announced the cancellation of classes for the day. Following their lead, other significant districts in the Portland metropolitan area, such as Hillsboro, North Clackamas, Tigard-Tualatin, and Gresham-Barlow, also declared closures.
Snowstorms can significantly affect local infrastructure and transportation systems in various ways. Accumulation of snow and ice can make roads hazardous, leading to slippery conditions that increase the risk of accidents. Visibility may also be reduced due to falling snow. Snowstorms often result in traffic delays, road closures, and detours. Commuters may experience longer travel times, and public transport schedules can be disrupted.
Buses and trains may face delays or cancellations due to snow-covered tracks and roads. This can lead to overcrowding on remaining services and affect commuters’ ability to reach their destinations. Snowstorms can hinder the response time of emergency services, making it challenging for ambulances, fire trucks, and police to navigate snow-covered roads.
As temperatures remained below freezing, a band of precipitation moved through the Willamette Valley throughout the morning. The Salem area experienced snowfall around 7 a.m., with the snow advancing northward to Portland by approximately 9 a.m. The snow accumulated on roads in Portland and nearby regions, persisting until it began to diminish around midday. With temperatures expected to drop again on Friday evening, any melted snow could quickly refreeze.
