PORTLAND, Ore. — With a new wave of freezing rain forecasted and much of the Portland region still covered in a thin layer of ice, some Oregon districts have canceled or delayed Friday classes.
Portland Public Schools (PPS), Oregon's largest school district, announced Thursday evening that classes will remain canceled for Friday — fourth day in a row citing refreezing and travel advisory through Friday morning.
"As eager as we are to reopen schools, we will not make a decision that puts our community in danger," said PPS website. "Please know we share your disappointment about these persistent conditions, and that we will reopen our schools as soon as it is safe to do so."
The Beaverton School District, on the other hand, announced it would hold a regular school day with normal bus routes, although it later added closures for just two schools.
Many highways and main roads were largely clear through Thursday morning, with temperatures hovering just above freezing and consistent rain helping to turn the built-up ice to slush. However, side roads remained slippery.
Local officials have urged travelers to continue staying off the roads in anticipation of a renewed freeze in the afternoon.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a winter weather advisory starting at 10 a.m. Thursday for the Portland metro area and a new ice storm warning for the western Columbia River Gorge, which will be in effect until 10 a.m. Friday.
KGW meteorologist Rod Hill said Thursday morning's rain could lead to substantial icing for things to refreeze, but it likely won't be as bad as it was during Tuesday's ice storm. Some pockets of the metro area will likely be more heavily impacted than others.
Below is a look at what school districts are planning for Friday, Jan. 19, organized by county (the list below is current as of Thursday evening).
Clackamas County:
- North Clackamas School District: Closed. All after-school and evening activities/athletics at school facilities are canceled.
- Oregon City School District: Closed.
- Lake Oswego School District: 2 hours late. All schools are a two-hour delay, except for Lake Grove Elementary, which will be closed all day for students while staff and contractors work to move classrooms post-water mitigation efforts. More info here.
- West Linn-Wilsonville School District: 2 hour delay. All preschool is canceled.
- Oregon Trail School District: Closed.
Clark County (WA):
- Battle Ground Public Schools: All schools closed. No preschool or skills center buses to Cascadia Tech. Watch for info on athletics and after-school activities. More info here. (updated)
- Camas School District: Closed. More info here. (updated)
- Evergreen School District: Closed, no a.m. preschool. After-school activities are canceled. More info here.
- Hockinson School District: 2 hours late. No Cascadia Tech Bus or HHS Preschool.
- WA School for the Deaf: Closed.
- Washougal School District: Closed.
- Vancouver School District: Closed, no preschool. After-school and evening activities are canceled. More info here. (updated)
- 2 hours late. No morning preschool. Morning activities canceled.
- Green Mountain School District: 2 hours late.
- La Center School District: 2 hours late. No Cascadia Tech Academy bus.
- Ridgefield School District: 2 hours late, no morning preschool, no zero-hour classes at Ridgefield High School or buses to Cascadia Tech.
Columbia County:
- Scappoose School District: 2 hours late.
- St. Helens School District: 2 hours late.
- Rainier (OR) School District: 2 hours late. The district will announce any changes to this schedule by 7:30 a.m. Friday.
Columbia Gorge Schools:
- Hood River County School District: Closed.
- Mt Pleasant School District: Closed.
- North Wasco County School District: Closed.
- Stevenson-Carson School District: Closed. All athletics and activities are canceled.
- South Wasco District: Closed.
- Wishram School District: Closed.
- Trout Lake School District: Closed.
- Goldendale School District: Closed.
- Klickitat School District: Closed.
- Glenwood School District: Closed.
- White Salmon School District: Closed
- Dufur School District: Closed but operating remotely.
Cowlitz County & Lower Columbia (WA):
- Woodland School District: 2 hours late.
- Longview School District: Buses 3, 5, 10, 13, 17, 20 and 25 will operate on morning snow routes. Please check back for updated information in case road conditions change overnight. More info here.
- Kalama School District: 2 hours late.
Marion, Polk, Linn & Benton County:
- Dallas School District: Buses on snow routes.
Multnomah County:
- Centennial School District: Closed. All afterschool activities canceled.
- Corbett School District: Closed.
- David Douglas School District: Closed.
- Gresham-Barlow School District: Closed. All afterschool activities canceled.
- Portland Public Schools: Closed.
- Parkrose School District: Closed.
- Reynolds School District: Closed. All afterschool activities canceled.
Washington County:
- Banks School District: Closed. Athletics/activities are canceled. District office will be open More info here. (updated)
- Forest Grove School District: All schools closed. District office open. Athletics and activities canceled. (updated)
- Gaston School District: Closed. The district will make a decision about athletic practices by noon. All other activities are canceled. (updated)
- Hillsboro School District: All schools and district offices closed; afternoon and evening activities canceled. More info here.
- Tigard-Tualatin School District: Closed. Any updates on afternoon and evening activities will be announced in the early afternoon. (updated)
- Sherwood School District: Closed. All activities/events canceled. (updated)
- Beaverton School District: All schools closed. (updated)
Yamhill County:
- Newberg School District: A.m./p.m. buses on snow routes. Snow routes: 9, 10, 11, 12, 24, 25, 26, 31, 32, 35, 36 and 37. More info here. (updated)
