Winter Travel Advisory: PBOT urges the public to plan for potential snow tonight and Thursday morning that could create hazardous travel conditions

(11:40 a.m. Wednesday Feb. 14, 2024) The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) urges the public to prepare for the potential for snow that could create hazardous travel conditions tonight and Thursday morning.

The National Weather Service has advised PBOT that there's a 50 percent chance of at least a trace of snow at all areas of the Portland metro region, including downtown Portland and other areas at sea level. There is about a 10 percent chance of snow accumulating at sea level.

There is a higher chance of snow and a higher chance of more snow -- up to 3 inches of accumulating snow -- at areas of high elevation, such as the West Hills, and also for areas east of Interstate 205.

Winds may be breezy early Thursday morning through the weekend, with stronger winds and gusts east of I-205. Winds and gusts as a high as 40 mph could occur across the Portland area and may cause downed trees and power lines, causing potential power outages.

There is uncertainty about the timing and duration of snowfall. Snow that starts as early as 4 p.m. would suggest snow accumulations would be greater. Snow that starts as late as 8 p.m. would indicate less snow will accumulate overnight.

All forecasts come with uncertainty and they can change in the days and hours leading up to a storm event. 

Make an alternative travel plan now, or prepare to stay home

The City of Portland’s snow and ice plan discourages private vehicle use and encourages everyone to avoid travel during inclement weather.

If you do need to travel, consider public transit as your first option. Bundle up, be prepared to wait in extreme cold, and use extreme caution on sidewalks and streets. Always check trimet.org/alerts before heading out to get the very latest on delays, detours and cancellations. 

At the first sign of snow or ice, especially if it comes earlier than expected and you are away from home, it's best to avoid travel:

• Find a safe, warm place to stay and delay your trip. Wait it out at the office, dine at a local restaurant or stay at a hotel to further delay travel. Those options may cost some money, but a citation and tow charges for an abandoned vehicle blocking a travel lane can cost more than $500 -- and still require you to walk home in snowy conditions.

• Be prepared to travel based on the conditions you encounter during your trip. See accumulating snow? Slow down. Carry traction devices like chains and an emergency weather kit in your vehicle. Helpful items to include in addition to chains are a snow shovel, bag of sand, jumper cables, first aid kit, basic tools (pliers, wrench, screwdriver and knife), blanket and warm clothing, extra food and water, cell phone and extra charger, and a flashlight.

  View additional winter weather travel tips online.

• If you do choose to drive and find yourself without traction, move your vehicle away from travel lanes. Any vehicle parked illegally may face a tow, especially any vehicle blocking a travel lane, streetcar tracks or other public transit route. Abandoned vehicles that block travel lanes can slow down emergency responders and the snowplow operators who make safe passage for them.

PBOT’s mission is to provide at least one passable lane in each direction on snow and ice routes so that vehicles with front wheel drive or traction devices can get through. Depending on the severity of snow and ice, it can take up to three 12-hour shifts for our crews to sufficiently treat our routes with anti-icer. In a major snowfall, it can take our crews up to one 12-hour shift to plow our routes.

See our Winter Weather Center for a full interactive map of our routes.

During a winter weather event:

If you need to travel, consider TriMet: If you cannot delay travel during periods of snowy conditions, consider public transit as your first option, and be prepared for delays, and look for alerts and changes to transit routes. Public transportation schedules can be found via TriMet’s website, as well as PortlandStreetcar.org/schedules.

Monitor road closures: Current PBOT winter weather road closures and chain advisories

Report downed trees. Did you see a downed tree or large limb on City property or public streets? Report it by calling 503-823-TREE (8733). Please be patient; Urban Forestry crews are minimizing safety risks and clearing the largest debris first. Emergency dispatchers are available 24 hours per day, seven days a week.

Report Road Hazards Call PBOT Maintenance emergency dispatch 24/7 at 503-823-1700 or email at pdxroads@portlandoregon.gov or use the PDX Reporter mobile website.

Be prepared, stay ahead of winter weather
 
Sign up to receive Winter Weather Updates by email or text message from PBOT
 
Encourage your neighbors to sign up too!
 

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The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) is the steward of the City’s transportation system, and a community partner in shaping a livable city. We plan, build, manage and maintain an effective and safe transportation system that provides access and mobility. Learn more at www.portland.gov/transportation