Snow blankets Highway 99E through Portland on Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017.
Bradley W. Parks / OPB
Slippery conditions returned to the Portland metro area just in time for holiday travel with snow, sleet and freezing rain Sunday.
After wet mix of precipitation through the morning, snow began to fall just before sunset in the city.
As of 5 p.m., the National Weather Service projected 2-3 inches of snow accumulation for the Portland metro area. More was expected in parts of Southwest Washington like Camas and Battle Ground.
Updated snowfall amounts for the Metro area. With a further south track of the surface low, expecting more snow than originally forecast. Now 2 to 3 inches for areas northeast of US 26. Highest amounts near Scappoose and northern Clark County. pic.twitter.com/CkcIG2nGRo
— NWS Portland (@NWSPortland) December 25, 2017
NWS expects precipitation to wind down around midnight Sunday, with rain starting around 3 a.m.
“We expect to see all of this precipitation transition into rain, good old-fashioned rain,” said David Bishop, a meteorologist with the NWS in Portland.
Snow blankets Balch Creek in Northwest Portland, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017.
Beth Hyams / OPB
NWS, as well as state and local agencies, advise against driving as road conditions worsen.
Crash reports from slick metro area roadways streamed in throughout the day.
What’s called the “precipitation transition zone” set up across the metro area, delivering a mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain from morning into afternoon.
Winter weather advisories and winter storm warnings are also in place for the Columbia River Gorge into Pendleton.
NWS advises travelers check weather and road conditions both where they are and where they’re going.
Find updated travel information for Oregon on TripCheck and for Washington via WSDOT.
If you do have to drive, here are five tips from AAA for safely navigating winter weather.
- Don't travel unless you absolutely must.
- Use chains, go slow, leave plenty of space, fill up on gas, prepare for a long commute.
- Check your battery.
- In bad weather, your car trouble may not be first priority for responders.
- Prepare ahead of time.
See more safe driving tips in the video below.
The office that coordinates shelter services in Multnomah County says it has space for people to get out of the severe weather.
The Joint Office of Homeless Services says no one will be turned away.
Anyone who needs shelter can dial 211 to request it. See an interactive map of Multnomah County warming shelters by clicking here. See a list of Oregon warming centers here.
Beth Hyams contributed reporting.