Potentially historic wind and snow are expected in Oregon starting Tuesday, which could make travel in the lead-up to Thanksgiving near-impossible.
The brunt of the storm is expected to affect southern Oregon and northern California. People traveling on Interstate 5 south of Roseburg could encounter up to 15 inches of snow and winds of up to 60 miles per hour. The wind could result in white-out conditions along I-5.
“Travel will be very difficult to impossible,” the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration warned. “The hazardous conditions will impact any pre-Thanksgiving travel.”
David Bishop, a meteorologist for the Portland National Weather Service, says a low-pressure system is expected to arrive around the Oregon-California border Tuesday evening into Wednesday morning.
The National Weather Service map shows the most hazardous areas.
Drivers headed over Willamette Pass, Santiam Pass, or to Government Camp on Monday are being advised to prepare for winter driving conditions.
Portland’s branch of the National Weather Service is recommending drivers take chains if they’re moving through areas that might see snow.
The Portland metro area forecast calls for mixed rain and snow Tuesday evening.
Bishop says the Willamette Valley can expect lows Tuesday night in the upper teens to mid-20s and highs in the upper 30s to low 40s.