Snow closes schools, snarls traffic across the Northwest

PORTLAND, Ore. -  A weak weather system with just enough moisture has brought snow back to the region, and many areas are also reporting freezing rain.

The storm was not expected to bring much if any snowfall but surprised some residents and forecasters as the white stuff began to pile up and areas south of Salem saw freezing rain.

Low temperatures over the past several days has kept the ground frozen so anything falling is either sticking or freezing. The precipitation in various forms is expected to last through the afternoon.

ODOT crews were out early Tuesday laying down de-icing solution and prepping gravel trucks. TriMet officials says they had crews ready to chain up buses as the weather moved in.

You can get more traffic information and ODOT cameras at this link.

Many schools in the Portland/Vancouver area are closed. Check for latest updates at this link.

KATU reporters in the field report say snow is accumulating in both Washington and Oregon, no matter what the elevation.

The snow began to fall about 4 a.m. KATU Meteorologist Rhonda Shelby says snow and freezing rain will continue to fall throughout the morning.

Commuters were caught off guard by the heavy snowfall, which stuck quickly on many highways, making conditions slick. Traffic was at a standstill in many places as cars spun in the snow and ice.

In some areas, snow had fallen over sheets of frozen rain, making driving especially treacherous.
The weather system is expected to pass through the area by about 1 p.m., but a secondary smaller system could extend the snowfall into the afternoon.