Extreme cold in western Oregon could give way to freezing rain overnight

Extreme cold gripped most of Oregon overnight Wednesday, with temperatures well below freezing in western Oregon and well below zero in Eastern Oregon.

Cold weather advisories were in effect for most of the state through noon Wednesday, and then will go into effect again Wednesday evening into Thursday morning.



But in western Oregon, freezing rain and sleet could also move in Wednesday night with snow arriving Thursday morning, according to the National Weather Service.

“Precipitation will likely begin as snow for the northern Willamette Valley and the Portland/Vancouver metro around 9 to 10 a.m., Thursday, before switching over to freezing rain in the early afternoon,” the area forecast discussion reads. “This has us concerned that folks living in the Portland/Vancouver metro will wake up before 9 a.m., notice it is still dry out and head to work, then have a very difficult time trying to commute back home in the evening as there will likely be some snow and ice on roads, resulting in hazardous travel conditions.”

The NWS has issued a winter storm warning for the north Oregon Coast Range and the greater Portland/Vancouver metro area through Friday morning.

In the central and southern Willamette Valley and the central Oregon Coast Range, an ice storm warning is in effect from 10 p.m. Wednesday through Friday morning.

Sleet may mix in with the freezing rain during the day Thursday, but the NWS forecasts the primary threat west of the Cascades will be accumulating snow followed by possible accumulating ice.

Precipitation will gradually turn completely to rain Friday morning, but there’s still some uncertainty about when that will happen.

Traffic officials recommend visiting TripCheck.com for up-to-date travel conditions for the rest of the week, as roads could be icy.

Related: What to know before driving in snow, ice and other slick conditions

Officials also suggest having extra food and blankets ready at home and checking on neighbors and loved ones who may be living on their own.

Eastern Oregon may only see light snow over the next few days, but sub-freezing temperatures will be sticking around.

Union County’s warming station, the Right Track Resource Center in La Grande, is open for people looking who need to escape the extreme cold.

Program lead Maggie Mayhem said Wednesday the station has 25 beds, but it may have to host more people than that to meet demand.

“We thankfully have enough volunteers to help us keep our shelter hours open,” she said.

The warming center is confident its community partners will help if more beds are needed to keep people safe in the frigid weather.

In Central Oregon, temperatures are in the single digits. The National Weather Service has issued a cold weather advisory for the region until Thursday morning. Wind chill is dragging down overnight lows into subzero levels.

The weather service warns that frostbite and hypothermia can occur if skin is exposed to extreme cold temperatures for too long.

As the cold weather continues, shelters across the region are increasing the number of people they allow in. Clare Perez works with The Lighthouse Navigation Center in Bend. She said the shelter temporarily increased its capacity because of the extreme weather.

Representatives from Lighthouse and Shepherd’s House Ministries said donations of warm items like blankets, sleeping bags, jackets, gloves, socks, hats and hand warmers are always needed. People looking to donate can drop off items at any time in Bend.

A common warming center, the Deschutes County public libraries will be closed on Thursday, Feb. 13. A list of warming center locations can also be found in the Deschutes County Extreme Weather Health and Safety Resource Guide.

Emergency shelters have opened in cities and counties throughout the Pacific Northwest due to the extreme cold weather. To find a warming center or shelter in Oregon, visit 211info.org; in Washington, visit wa211info.org.