Update, 4:30 p.m.
The Salem Public Library and Center 50+ will close Saturday due to the winter storm expected to hit Salem starting Friday night.
All Salem-Keizer School District facilities will also be closed, and district events canceled over the weekend.
An updated forecast from the National Weather Service on Friday calls for a low of 19 degrees overnight and north winds of 10 to 15 mph, with gusts up to 30 mph.
There’s a chance of snow, sleet, freezing rain and rain after midnight. Saturday’s forecast calls for up to 2 inches of snow, ice accumulation up to half an inch and a mix of precipitation for most of the day.
Roads will be slippery, and people who must travel should take extra precautions and bring food, water and a flashlight with them.
Original story:
Salem is likely to get snow Friday night but temperatures starting the day were well above freezing, leaving the city with light rain ahead of the daily commute.
The temperature was 41 at the Salem Airport at 6 a.m. Friday, Jan. 12, and that likely will be the day’s high temperature, according to the National Weather Service.
The service issued a winter storm warning in place for 24 hours starting 10 p.m. Friday night, forecasting 2 to 4 inches of snow and a tenth of an inch of ice.
The service is forecasting the temperature to drop below freezing by sunset, heading for a low of 20.
“Snow will likely begin Friday evening in the central Willamette Valley but will likely not accumulate on surfaces until later Friday night,” the weather service said in its updated winter storm watch.
The path of the next weather system coming off the Pacific is the key.
East of the Interstate-5 corridor will see the most ice, according to the winter storm warning.
CLOSURES:
The Salem Public Library and Center 50+ will be closed Saturday.
The Salem Family YMCA will close at 7 p.m. Friday and will close for at least Saturday morning, potentially opening at noon. Swim lessons, group exercise and child care will be canceled Saturday. Members will be notified via email of further Saturday closures.
Chemeketa Community College will close all campuses and activity centers early on Friday. Activities and classes scheduled after 3:30 p.m. are canceled.
Willamette University has canceled all scheduled events Saturday on its Salem and Portland Pacific Northwest College of the Arts campuses. Residence halls will be open on Saturday starting at 9 a.m., but the university recommends students moving back to campus return Sunday or Monday.
All Salem-Keizer School District buildings will be closed, and school activities and events canceled, on Saturday and Sunday, the district announced Friday afternoon.
CANCELLATIONS:
- Ceili of the Valley Society has canceled its Second Friday Ceili scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, at the VFW Hall.
- The Salem Art Association postponed its Friday opening reception for several new shows in the A. N. Bush Gallery. The reception has been rescheduled to Friday, Feb. 2.
- Salem Public Library events are canceled. The Best Books 2023 presentation scheduled for Saturday has been canceled and rescheduled for 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 20 at the Main Library. Read to a Pet has been cancelled for Jan. 14. The dogs will back for the kids to read to them in February.
- Share your cancellation information: [email protected].
ROAD CONDITIONS:
The Oregon Department of Transportation shows no road closures. Check the latest information on Tripcheck.
On Thursday, the agency advised, “If possible, work from home Friday or get your commute or errands done early in the day.”
WARMING SHELTERS:
Overnight warming shelters open when temperatures drop to 32 degrees or below. Salem First Presbyterian Church, 770 Chemeketa St. N.E., and Seed of Faith Ministries, 1248 Winter Street N.E. Both operate such shelters when there is freezing weather.
The warming shelter at Salem First Presbyterian will open at 7 p.m. Friday night, according to a Facebook announcement by the city.
People can take a shuttle from the ARCHES Day Center, 615 Commercial St. N.E., until 8 p.m., which will have a return service in the morning. Cherriots also provides free rides to and from warming shelters.
Check the Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency’s website for updated information about shelters or volunteering, or call 971-304-9211 for shelter availability.
People can also sign up online to volunteer at a warming shelter. Volunteers check guests in and out of shelters, provide food and beverages in their hospitality areas and assist with keeping the facilities clean.
SHARE INFORMATION:
As the storm develops, we encourage you to share information and photos with Salem Reporter: [email protected].
UPDATES:
The news team at Salem Reporter is monitoring conditions and will provide useful updates as warranted.
STORY TIP OR IDEA? Send an email to Salem Reporter’s news team: [email protected].
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