Portland Area Hit With Historic Snowfall Tuesday Night, More On The Way

ERTHFX | By Bryan M. Vance, Dave Blanchard, Conrad Wilson

Published January 11, 2017 at 6:33 AM PST

It was a historic evening for Portland and surrounding areas Tuesday night as record snowfall led to one of the snowiest days ever recorded at the Portland International Airport.

By 5 a.m. Wednesday morning, the National Weather Service said it recorded 6.5 inches at their offices near the airport.

“That makes this the ninth snowiest calendar day at PDX since 1940,” said Colby Neuman, a meteorologist with the NWS in Portland. The agency also described it as the snowiest day in the Portland and Vancouver area since Jan. 20, 2008.

Elsewhere, the snowfall was much heavier. On average, the city and surrounding communities received 8-12 inches of snow Tuesday evening into Wednesday morning.

The Oregon Department of Transportation said chains are required for all vehicles traveling on Portland metro area highways Wednesday morning, and advise people to stay home if they can.

ODOT is currently bringing trucks and other snow removal equipment from around the state into the Portland area to help clear roads.

"That's our strategy for the Portland area, try to get this snow off the road, get some sand down, that's going to be a big help," said Don Hamilton, a spokesman with the agency.

Portland police said, much like a storm that came quickly upon the region in December, many people had difficulty traveling Tuesday night.

“The reports are that there were hundreds of cars abandoned on the highways and dozens, if not hundreds of people stranded in their vehicles," said Portland Police Sgt. Christopher Burley.

Officers assisted by transporting some people to the central precinct. They continued to check on cars throughout the morning, as weather allowed, Burley said.

The heavy snowfall has also left more than 37,000 Portland General Electric customers without power. That number was down to just under 30,000 customers by 11 a.m. Wednesday morning. Clackamas County was hit the hardest with more than 18,000 customers without power, while more than 12,000 are without power in Multnomah County. Clark County, Washington had about 15,000 people without power, but as of midday Wednesday Clark Public Utilities had restored all but about 400 customers.

The NWS had a tough time just keeping up with the changing forecast as the snow fell late Tuesday, said fellow meteorologist Clinton Rockey.

“What we saw across the region was a nightmare unfolding for the area. Snowfalls in the metro area, boy I tell you, it was really a lot of fun for us to figure out what’s going on," he said.

The metro region saw the unusual phenomenon of what’s known as “thundersnow.” Which is what it sounds like: a thunderstorm during a snowstorm.

“You get very unstable air above us, and we had those thunderstorms there, but because it's so cold underneath down here in the lowlands, the snow that was falling at them was coming down at a much heavier rate," Rockey said. "If you were outside and got to see it, it’s quite a treat."

The Portland International Airport was closed for two hours late Tuesday night as crews worked to clear a runway during the heaviest snowfall, said Kama Simonds, a spokeswoman with the Port of Portland.

The north runway was closed, but Simonds expected it to open around 6 p.m. Wednesday. Ground crews spent the day working to keep the south runway open, she said. Despite one runway being shutdown, Simonds said there were no capacity issues.

About 120 flights were canceled Wednesday and there were a number of delays, but airlines were operating flights.

About 1,000 people spent Tuesday night at PDX, she said.

"If you think that you have a flight going out today, check with your airline and then give yourself plenty of time to proceed to the airport," Simonds said. "They continue to plow and treat the surfaces."

The last time the Portland airport had all it's runways shut down was during an ice storm in 2004.

Some surrounding areas in the Portland metro area received significantly more snowfall than others, with Beaverton, the West Hills, Vancouver and areas of southwest Washington up to Salmon Creek receiving on average between 10-12 inches of snow. In North Portland, the NWS recorded 13 inches of snow at 3 a.m Wednesday.

But areas south of Portland fared much better in regards to the historic snowfall, with Tualatin, West Linn and Oregon City receiving around 3-6 inches of snow. As much as 3 inches of snowfall is in the high hills surrounding Salem, with only about 1-2 inches in the city proper.

“There’s a pretty sharp line between the haves and the have-nots” when it comes to snowfall, Neuman said.

Eugene has been hit fairly hard this winter with snow and ice but escaped last night relatively unscathed with no official reports of snow, according to the NWS. Corvallis was getting reports of snow sticking to the grass late Tuesday night, but nothing was sticking to roads or sidewalks by midnight last night, Neuman said.

In the Columbia River Gorge, Hood River received an additional 3-4 inches of snow overnight, bringing their total to 10 inches of snowfall since Tuesday. Interstate 84 from Troutdale to Hood River was at one point closed to all traffic.

Hamilton, the ODOT spokesman, said the hardest hit part of the state right now is the Columbia River Gorge.

“The Gorge always gets hit by a little bit of everything when we get a storm like this," he said. "They’ve been hammered by ice last week. They never really recovered from the ice storm when the snow hit. So they got a lot of snow on top of ice.”

On Wednesday, Clark County Public Works said it had 30 pieces of road clearing equipment in the field. The agency said major thoroughfares had been cleared, but "still have significant snowpack" and that travel is most difficult on residential streets. ODOT said it had about 100 pieces of snow clearing equipment at its disposal in the Portland metro area.

State agencies in Clackamas, Columbia, Gilliam, Hood River, Multnomah, Sherman, Wasco, Washington, Wheeler all announced closures early Wednesday. Crook, Deschutes and Jefferson counties said they would open around 10 a.m.

And the snow isn't done. For much of the Willamette Valley north of Salem, accumulation will continue.

“We’re expecting 1-4 inches of snow, mainly this morning,” Neuman said. “It won’t be nearly as intense as we saw last night.”

But with temperatures expected to stay at or below freezing for the region through the end of the week, he added that a big melt won't happen anytime soon.

“What you see now is what you’ll have through the end of the week," Neuman said.

<p>View from the Sellwood Bridge, Jan. 11, 2017.</p> — View from the Sellwood Bridge, Jan. 11, 2017.

<p>With Clackamas County schools closed for snow, students took the opportunity to enjoy the winter wonderland, Jan. 11, 2017.</p> — With Clackamas County schools closed for snow, students took the opportunity to enjoy the winter wonderland, Jan. 11, 2017.

<p>PGE worked through the morning and early afternoon to restore power to thousands of Clackamas County residents, Jan. 11, 2017.</p> — PGE worked through the morning and early afternoon to restore power to thousands of Clackamas County residents, Jan. 11, 2017.

<p>The winter storm transformed some of Portland's streets into slippery, snowy gridlock. </p> — The winter storm transformed some of Portland's streets into slippery, snowy gridlock.

<p>Southwest Portland</p> — Southwest Portland

<p>The Oregon Zoo is closed due to the amount snow. Apparently the cheetahs didn't get the notice. </p> — The Oregon Zoo is closed due to the amount snow. Apparently the cheetahs didn't get the notice.

<p>A view from downtown Portland. </p> — A view from downtown Portland.

<p>Khalleeah Sparks (right) pulls her god daughter, Mylai, in a makeshift sled with Glynnis Woods on their way to the grocery store.</p> — Khalleeah Sparks (right) pulls her god daughter, Mylai, in a makeshift sled with Glynnis Woods on their way to the grocery store.

<p>An park turns into a winter playground during Oregon's snowstorm.</p> — An park turns into a winter playground during Oregon's snowstorm.

<p>Sami Christensen (left) and Maddee Rubenson made their way down Northeast Dekum Street in Portland in skis on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017.</p> — Sami Christensen (left) and Maddee Rubenson made their way down Northeast Dekum Street in Portland in skis on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017.

<p>Jeff Brugato, with Pacific Coast Fruit Company, was making deliveries in Portland. He said many restaurants are either closed or opening late, and the roads have become more slippery throughout the day.</p> — Jeff Brugato, with Pacific Coast Fruit Company, was making deliveries in Portland. He said many restaurants are either closed or opening late, and the roads have become more slippery throughout the day.

<p>Raking snow off the roof in Bend.</p> — Raking snow off the roof in Bend.

<p>In Ontario, Oregon, Rob Haun helps plow a path to his business. </p> — In Ontario, Oregon, Rob Haun helps plow a path to his business.

<p><span class="contextualExtensionHighlight ms-font-color-themePrimary ms-border-color-themePrimary ident_69_337" tabindex="0">Sam Piva (in the navy bill cap with gold letters) drove his Honda S2000 up from Eugene Tuesday night, encountering little trouble on I-5 or I-205, and was a half block from his home when it got stuck in the snow-filled streets at the western base of Rocky Butte around</span> 10:30 p.m. On Wednesday morning, carpenter Tracy Terry pitched in and tried to pull Piva's car out of the drift by hooking it to his truck but they couldn't dig it free and had to abandon it. Piva is a recent University of Oregon graduate who just started work as a graphic designer at the Hive agency on the inner East Side. </p> — Sam Piva (in the navy bill cap with gold letters) drove his Honda S2000 up from Eugene Tuesday night, encountering little trouble on I-5 or I-205, and was a half block from his home when it got stuck in the snow-filled streets at the western base of Rocky Butte around 10:30 p.m. On Wednesday morning, carpenter Tracy Terry pitched in and tried to pull Piva's car out of the drift by hooking it to his truck but they couldn't dig it free and had to abandon it. Piva is a recent University of Oregon graduate who just started work as a graphic designer at the Hive agency on the inner East Side.

<p>Portland's downtown park blocks transformed by the snow.</p> — Portland's downtown park blocks transformed by the snow.

<p>Snow surrounds the Willamette in Portland. </p> — Snow surrounds the Willamette in Portland.

<p>A street in the Sellwood-Moreland neighborhood of Portland.</p> — A street in the Sellwood-Moreland neighborhood of Portland.

<p>Bikes locked up under inches of packed snow in Portland.</p> — Bikes locked up under inches of packed snow in Portland.

<p>Stuart Drive is a popular sledding spot on Alameda Ridge in Portland. </p> — Stuart Drive is a popular sledding spot on Alameda Ridge in Portland.

<p>Snow removal trucks drive down Highway 99 in Milwaukie carrying buckets full of snow, Jan. 11, 2017.</p> — Snow removal trucks drive down Highway 99 in Milwaukie carrying buckets full of snow, Jan. 11, 2017.

<p>Safety tape marks off a downed power line in SE Portland, Jan. 11, 2017.</p> — Safety tape marks off a downed power line in SE Portland, Jan. 11, 2017.

<p>Children take to the hills of Sabin during another snow day for Portland Public Schools, Jan. 11, 2017.</p> — Children take to the hills of Sabin during another snow day for Portland Public Schools, Jan. 11, 2017.

<p>A large tree limb fell on the steps of the Central Library in downtown Portland, Jan. 11, 2017.</p> — A large tree limb fell on the steps of the Central Library in downtown Portland, Jan. 11, 2017.

<p>TriMet works to fix a line in downtown Portland, Jan. 11, 2017.</p> — TriMet works to fix a line in downtown Portland, Jan. 11, 2017.

<p>The snow piles high in Bend where a man shovels his driveway. </p> — The snow piles high in Bend where a man shovels his driveway.

<p>Oregon State Police warns travelers that a traditionally busy section of Interstate 5 was "a parking lot."</p> — Oregon State Police warns travelers that a traditionally busy section of Interstate 5 was "a parking lot."

<p>A view of a snowy morning in Lake Oswego, Oregon. </p> — A view of a snowy morning in Lake Oswego, Oregon.

<p>Reporter <a href="http://www.opb.org/contributor/jeff-mapes/" target="_blank">Jeff Mapes</a> measures the snow gathered on his deck railing in Southeast Portland. </p> — Reporter Jeff Mapes measures the snow gathered on his deck railing in Southeast Portland.

<p>A scene from a neighborhood in Gresham, Oregon. </p> — A scene from a neighborhood in Gresham, Oregon.

<p>"Happy car. Happy Valley (Oregon)." </p> — "Happy car. Happy Valley (Oregon)."

<p>Snowfall at the Portland International Airport. </p> — Snowfall at the Portland International Airport.

<p>Walker Road in Portland. </p> — Walker Road in Portland.

<p>Willow McCormick celebrates the snowstorm.</p> — Willow McCormick celebrates the snowstorm.

<p>A scene from a snowed in Northwest Portland</p> — A scene from a snowed in Northwest Portland

<p>A calm in the storm in Oak Grove, Oregon. </p> — A calm in the storm in Oak Grove, Oregon.

<p>The snowfalls on Tilikum Crossing. </p> — The snowfalls on Tilikum Crossing.

<p>Snow continues to pile up on a trail along the Willamette River. </p> — Snow continues to pile up on a trail along the Willamette River.

<p>The heavy snowfall left some side streets closed in Portland. </p> — The heavy snowfall left some side streets closed in Portland.

<p>The snow did not keep people from getting their coffee in Northeast Portland on Wednesday morning.</p> — The snow did not keep people from getting their coffee in Northeast Portland on Wednesday morning.

<p>People roll a giant snowball across Southeast 13th Avenue in Portland's Sellwood neighborhood on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017.</p> — People roll a giant snowball across Southeast 13th Avenue in Portland's Sellwood neighborhood on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017.

<p>Cars drive through the intersection of Southeast 13th and Tacoma in Portland's Sellwood neighborhood during a snow storm on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017.</p> — Cars drive through the intersection of Southeast 13th and Tacoma in Portland's Sellwood neighborhood during a snow storm on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017.

<p>Snow covers the sign for Thai Lahna restaurant on Southeast 13th Avenue in Portland's Sellwood neighborhood during a storm on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017.</p> — Snow covers the sign for Thai Lahna restaurant on Southeast 13th Avenue in Portland's Sellwood neighborhood during a storm on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017.

<p>A bicyclist pulls into a New Seasons grocery store on Tacoma Street in Portland's Sellwood neighborhood during a snow storm on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017.</p> — A bicyclist pulls into a New Seasons grocery store on Tacoma Street in Portland's Sellwood neighborhood during a snow storm on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017.

<p>A car drives north on Tacoma Street in Portland's Sellwood neighborhood during a snow storm on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017.</p> — A car drives north on Tacoma Street in Portland's Sellwood neighborhood during a snow storm on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017.

<p>Snow pummeled the Portland area on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017.</p> — Snow pummeled the Portland area on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017.

<p>Snow blanketed Portland streets, such as this one in the northeast part of the city, on Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2017.</p> — Snow blanketed Portland streets, such as this one in the northeast part of the city, on Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2017.

<p>People wait for an Orange Line MAX train at the Southeast Bybee Boulevard station in Portland's Sellwood neighborhood during a snow storm on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017.</p> — People wait for an Orange Line MAX train at the Southeast Bybee Boulevard station in Portland's Sellwood neighborhood during a snow storm on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017.

<p>An Orange Line MAX train departs the Southeast Bybee Boulevard station toward Milwaukie in Portland's Sellwood neighborhood during a snow storm on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017.</p> — An Orange Line MAX train departs the Southeast Bybee Boulevard station toward Milwaukie in Portland's Sellwood neighborhood during a snow storm on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017.

<p>A bicyclist heads north on Milwaukie Avenue in Portland's Sellwood neighborhood during a snow storm on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017.</p> — A bicyclist heads north on Milwaukie Avenue in Portland's Sellwood neighborhood during a snow storm on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017.

<p>A fallen tree blocks the intersection of Lambert Street and Milwaukie Avenue in Portland's Sellwood neighborhood during a snow storm on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017.</p> — A fallen tree blocks the intersection of Lambert Street and Milwaukie Avenue in Portland's Sellwood neighborhood during a snow storm on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017.

<p>Many parts of Portland saw several inches of snowfall Tuesday night into Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017, leaving side streets like Lambert Street in Portland's Sellwood neighborhood covered.</p> — Many parts of Portland saw several inches of snowfall Tuesday night into Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017, leaving side streets like Lambert Street in Portland's Sellwood neighborhood covered.

<p>Fairlane Coffee was one of few businesses open Wednesday morning in Portland's Sellwood neighborhood during a snow storm on Jan. 11, 2017.</p> — Fairlane Coffee was one of few businesses open Wednesday morning in Portland's Sellwood neighborhood during a snow storm on Jan. 11, 2017.

<p>A man shovels the walk outside Northwest Primary Care on Milwaukie Avenue in Portland's Sellwood neighborhood during a snow storm on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017.</p> — A man shovels the walk outside Northwest Primary Care on Milwaukie Avenue in Portland's Sellwood neighborhood during a snow storm on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017.