Morning commutes this week may be messy. The National Weather Service says downtown Portland and other low-lying areas could see up to an inch of snow this week during prime commuting times. Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has declared a state of emergency for Multnomah County due to the ongoing severe cold and snowy weather hitting most of the Portland metro area.
The Portland Bureau of Transportation is warning that there is potential for snow across all elevations this week. Last Wednesday’s 11 inches of snow took everyone, including local weather forecasters, by surprise, and given that, transportation officials say drivers should be prepared for worst case scenarios, including snow at any point over the next few days.
It is going to fall this week. Even more snow may fall in outlying areas at higher elevations, including up to 2 inches in the West Hills and east of Interstate 205 on Tuesday. To avoid getting stuck, or having to abandon your car by the side of the road, travel with key essentials in your vehicle, including blankets, extra food, water, a full tank of gas, an extra battery pack for your phone, a first aid kit and snow chains. Or better yet, stay off the roads, or take public transportation.
The governor’s office has also been in communication with other counties in the state that have been impacted, and providing aid. At this time no other county has requested an emergency declaration, according to the governor’s office.
Drivers who do wind up pulling over and parking at metered spots can take advantage of a grace period, as PBOT won’t be issuing parking tickets through noon on Tuesday. (That doesn’t apply to cars that might be parked illegally, or blocking public transit or emergency vehicle routes.)
PBOT officials say their crews have spent the past five days plowing, sanding and salting major roadways, and that most of the vehicles that had been abandoned along highway shoulders and city streets have now been towed away, reopening dozens of streets for travel for now.
Portland is currently under a winter weather advisory through Sunday evening and could be lined up for at least one more round of snow this weekend. Governor Kotek said the emergency declaration ensures state resources, personnel, and equipment can be activated to complement critical local resources as the situation progresses.
