Low-elevation snow arrived in western Oregon mostly as expected Tuesday morning, bringing a dusting to a half inch of snow in Salem, Eugene and other Mid-Willamette Valley cities while dropping considerably more in the foothills and mountains.
Most roads remained warm enough to avoid sticking snow and traffic is largely not impacted in the Portland, Salem and Eugene corridor on Interstate 5. South Salem gained about a half-inch of snow and there is some roadside snow along I-5.
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Wet flurries are forecast in the higher elevations of Willamette Valley cities and the foothills until about 10 a.m., but should then warm up beyond any sticking snow, except at the highest elevations in town.
There is more roadside snow and some sticking snow along highways into the Coast Range and Cascades. Highway 22 in Mill City has some sticking snow on roadways, likely leading to slippery conditions, around 1,000 feet.
Snow is having a bigger impact on Oregon’s mountain roads above 1,200 feet, especially near towns such as Detroit east of Salem and McKenzie Bridge east of Eugene.
High mountain passes, including Santiam Pass (Highway 20) and Willamette Pass (Highway 58) are largely snow-covered and gained about 14 inches of new snow.
Conditions do appear to be far worse in southern Oregon, where snow on Interstate 5 has led to very impacted traffic conditions.
In the higher elevations, chains are required for vehicles towing or over 10,000 pounds. Traction tires allowed in place of chains on vehicles under 10,000 GVW pounds.
See live traffic camps at TripCheck.com.
