Snow Storms Causing Problems - North West Oregon

Arctic weather continues to batter Northern Oregon and Southern Washington State. Yet causing more misery for drivers. Most roads have been affected. Snow is not only falling on higher altitudes but also at low levels to. There have been a number of accidents on the highways and people being frustrated as traffic slows to either a very slow crawl. Or stopping all together.

Some businesses have shutdown altogether for the night, and if you are planning on going to any events, it has been advised you check to see if they are still being held, before attempting to leave the house. It has been advised that you should only go out in your car if it is absolutely necessary.

Local stores are having getting deliveries so be patient if they are out of stock of your favorite bread. With some shelves being less than full as people stock up, due to the promise of ongoing snow storms over the next week. One store employee at Albertsons saying to me today. "if it isn't bad enough with the Christmas rush for food, the snow is making it worse!"

Up to 6 inches have fallen in places since this morning. The amounts of snow lay on roads untreated is only going to get worse, as the white stuff continues into the night. So don't be to surprised if you can't make that journey in the next few hours.

Police have recently also called on the public not to jam their switchboards with calls asking about the weather. The heavy snow and icy conditions seem to have confused drivers in particular into dialing 911 to ask about local weather reports. People must only call 911 in an emergency, police have stated.

It seems that it is not only the sky that has been cloudy lately, as people seem to forget that 911 is only there for emergency use. Operators have been flooded with calls about road conditions, school closures, leisure and business closures. Fox 12 News Team have reported, many cases documented by 911 operators over recent days.

One dispatcher took a call which asked. "We have several people from our office here in Portland heading to the Hillsboro area, driving, and I wondered if you can tell me what the driving conditions or what you think, you know, is it going to become unnavigable?"

People have been asked if concerned about the weather and driving conditions to dial 511. This service provide real time updates on weather and road conditions to most telephone services. If you are to go out in your car, then you are urged to check local news stations and weather reports before leaving. Do not call 911, unless you do have an emergency.

Most of the week the highways have either been heavy with ice and snow, or congested due to traffic unable to move far because of the conditions. Snow fell heavy in most areas of Portland over the weekend, and has continues on an off all week. Today saw some parts of Oregon again hit by heavy snow. The snow is likely to continue throughout the week and into the weekend, which is likely to cause more traffic misery for road users.

From my local observations, updates for Beaverton, Hillsboro, Tigard and Sherwood through to Lake Oswego,up to Portland, have it snowing heavily at 2:45pm. It is bitterly cold with lows to around 27f to be expected tonight. With snow flurries continuing into tomorrow. There may be a little rest from the snow on Sunday, although it is likely to be very icy out on the roads. This is the same for routes around Highway 99, I-5, and most suburban roads, that have not been treated. So be advised that chains or studded tires are still to recommended. Full reports can be found at weather.com

It looks like the cold snap is here to stay for the next seven days, as an Arctic blast settles in over Oregon, and Washington State. if you are wondering about a white Christmas, then you will be pleased to know, that the outlook at least until the 27th December has the chance of snow for most days, including Christmas day. Especially if you live at higher altitudes.

Sources: Own as local corespondent, Fox 12 News Team, Weather.com, Local Observations.