The National Weather Service is forecasting severe weather for Salem ahead of the holiday weekend as many plan to travel outside the Willamette Valley and through snowy mountain passes.
Salem drivers should use extra caution as freezing rain is expected to begin Thursday.
Greg Walsh, the city’s emergency preparedness manager, said Salem residents should plan for potential ice storms or power outages. That means having extra blankets ready, having perishable foods stocked, checking generators and making sure gas tanks are topped off.
David House, spokesman for the state Department of Transportation, said Thursday through Saturday are likely to see the most severe weather conditions in the Willamette Valley and surrounding mountain passes.
“Those would be the prime pre-Christmas travel days,” he said. “This is the time to really pay attention before you hit the road.”
Inside city limits, Salem has over 15,000 gallons of magnesium chloride salt to use as a de-icer and over 1,200 cubic yards of dry sanding rock on hand for potential freezing weather or snow, according to city spokesman Trevor Smith.
Smith said city crews will be on standby later in the week to respond to Salem roads at all hours of the day.
“Due to the timing of this potential storm and the possible impact to the Portland area where many will be traveling, Salem residents might want to be as flexible as they can in their travel plans,” Smith said.
With snow guaranteed in nearby mountain passess, House said those traveling beyond the valley need to be prepared for winter driving, which means bringing chains or traction tires, and a four-wheel drive. He said drivers should also expect chains or traction tires to potentially be required.
Under Oregon law, drivers can be fined for not equipping their vehicles if highway signs show conditions requiring it. The presumptive fine for failure to use vehicle traction tires or chains is $880.
House said the most important thing Salem drivers should keep in mind is that it’s the holiday travel season.
“You have to factor in the weather. It’s just part of winter in the northwest especially. And be prepared for things to take much longer than usual, and have a plan B,” he said. “When weather conditions are severe, (if) you were planning to travel Thursday and there’s freezing rain, if you can delay your travel a day, that’s always a good idea.”
The farther Salemites drive, the bigger the concern of severe weather, particularly when there are changes in elevation from one climate to another, House said. Conditions can change quickly on a drive to eastern Oregon, the coast or even Portland in the wintertime.
The National Weather service issued a Winter Storm Watch effective Thursday at 1 p.m. to Friday at 1 p.m. for Salem and much of the Willamette Valley, stating that less than one inch of snow and one-tenth to half an inch of ice accumulation are possible.
Power outages and tree damages are also possible due to ice, and the severe conditions may impact traffic Thursday afternoon and Friday morning. Temperatures are likely to warm above freezing Friday afternoon, according to the agency.
Its forecast calls for rain in Salem until Tuesday afternoon, with a high near 46 degrees and a low around 32 in the evening. The snow level will lower from 4,000 feet to 800 feet after midnight Tuesday.
The agency’s latest reading at McNary Field forecasted partly sunny skies Wednesday, with a high near 39 and a low around 22. There is a slight chance of snow before 10 a.m. Thursday, then freezing rain. A high near 29 is expected Thursday and a low near 23 in the evening, with a 50% chance of rain.
The weather service is forecasting freezing rain through Thursday night and before 10 a.m. Friday, followed by rain or freezing rain until early afternoon, then only rain.
Rain is likely through Christmas Day. The agency is forecasting temperatures in the late 30s Friday, between 46 and 52 Saturday, and between 47 and 54 on Sunday.
Updated snow routes around Salem can be found on a city map.
The state Department of Transportation tracks road conditions throughout the state on TripCheck.
OneRain provides weather information for Salem up to the minute, Smith said.
People can find information about local snow and weather responses by the city and Marion County online.
Walsh said people can also stay warm and charge devices at emergency shelters when they are activated. Homeless service provider The ARCHES Project transports people by van to one of two emergency shelters when night temperatures drop to 32 or below.
Until 8 p.m., the shuttle transports people from the ARCHES Day Center at 615 Commercial Street N.E. to the two shelters that are part of the program. Salem First Presbytarian accepts 75 people at a time at 770 Chemeketa St. N.E., and South Salem Friends can take in 45 people at 1140 Baxter Rd. S.E. The organization also offers a ride back to the day center in the morning.
People interested in volunteering for the program can submit an application on ARCHES’ website.
ARCHES is also partnering with the Salem Area Mass Transit District, also known as Cherriots, to provide free transportation to and from emergency shelters on nights where temperatures are at or below 32 degrees. Outreach workers on such nights also drive around to find people who may need a ride to an emergency shelter until 7:30 p.m.
Walsh said the city first posts updated information about severe weather on its Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts before issuing statements on its website or through FlashAlert.
This story was updated Tuesday afternoon after the National Weather Service issued a Winter Storm Watch.
JUST THE FACTS, FOR SALEM – We report on your community with care and depth, fairness and accuracy. Get local news that matters to you. Subscribe to Salem Reporter. Click I want to subscribe!
Ardeshir Tabrizian has covered criminal justice and housing for Salem Reporter since September 2021. As an Oregon native, his award-winning watchdog journalism has traversed the state. He has done reporting for The Oregonian, Eugene Weekly and Malheur Enterprise.
