PORTLAND, Ore. — Freezing temperatures and leftover snow from Sunday night caused treacherous, icy conditions for Monday morning travelers in the Portland metro area, particularly in Washington County.
Most of the region got a break from the falling snow Monday morning, but KGW meteorologist Rod Hill said more snow is expected overnight and another snowy, icy commute looms Tuesday morning as temperatures will again dip below freezing.
In Beaverton, the Washington County Sheriff's Office reported Monday morning that a crash involving several vehicles closed Southwest Grabhorn Road, south of Farmington Road. WCSO officials said nobody was injured.
KGW photographer Eric Patterson checked in with a couple of drivers who slid off the road on Southwest 175th Avenue, just south of Rigert Road in Beaverton. One was able to get out of the skid but the other needed their car to be towed.
Washington County is requiring chains or snow tires in snow zones on Southwest 175th Avenue between Scholls Ferry Road and Rigert Road; on Barnes Road, from 118th Avenue east to the county line; and on Cornell Road, from Cedar Hills Boulevard east to the county line.
Outside the metro area, all eastbound lanes of Interstate 84 were shut down briefly Monday morning at Frontage Road near Multnomah Falls because of a jackknifed semi. The freeway reopened around 10 a.m., Corbett Fire reported.
Many city and county offices closed or are operating on reduced hours Monday, and many schools, which are closed this week for the holiday break, closed their facilities for activities, including athletic practices. See all the closures and delays.
TriMet reported that some bus lines, including 18 (Hillsdale), 51 (Vista) and 63 (Washington Park/Arlington) were canceled Monday morning due to the weather. Other buses were operating with chains and using drop-down chains, which can be deployed on a temporary basis when needed. TriMet said the weather did not impact the MAX or LIFT paratransit systems or the WES commuter rail service Monday morning. Travelers should consult trimet.org/alerts for the latest updates before trying to take a bus or train.
Temperatures may rise above freezing Monday afternoon, allowing some snow melt, Hill said. Another round of snow is expected to arrive Monday night and continue into Tuesday morning, with 1 to 3 inches of snow expected and temperatures dropping below freezing.
Hill said Tuesday afternoon into Wednesday should be dry with the coldest temperatures of the week. "Wednesday morning could see valley numbers in the teens, although most locations will likely stay above 20 degrees," Hill said.
A weather front is expected to arrive Thursday, which could produce an icy mix, though Hill cautioned that Thursday's forecast is uncertain. At this time, Friday looks dry for New Year's Eve and warmer temperatures and rain are expected Saturday with some sunshine on Sunday, Hill said.
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