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Update, 8:30 p.m. Tuesday
Salem received about a quarter-inch of freezing rain by 7 p.m. Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.
The service’s latest forecast called for rain overnight and temperatures rising to 40 degrees by 5 a.m. Wednesday.
Local utilities were not reporting major power outages as of 8:30 p.m. Tuesday. Portland General Electric had one reported outage near Pratum, northeast of Salem, affecting 56 customers with no estimated restoration time.
Update, 3:45 p.m. Tuesday:
Freezing rain is falling and conditions will worsen in the evening and overnight according to the National Weather Service.
The combination of ice and wind gusts between 30 and 35 mph could damage trees and powerlines, according to the city of Salem.
Since Friday, city crews applied over a thousand tons of sanding rock and 2,000 gallons of liquid deicer to Salem’s streets, according to a press release by the city. Two crews have been working 12-hour shifts.
City crews are also addressing customer calls about frozen pipes, including a water main break on Monday. To report roadway, water, or sewer concerns, call the Public Works Dispatch Center at 503-588-6311.
Cherriots buses suspended service for the day starting at 11:30 a.m. The Cherriots LIFT paratransit service is providing life sustaining trips only.
Closures, cancellations and delays for Wednesday
- Chemeketa Community College will start classes and activities at 10:30 a.m. All classes before then are canceled, including remote classes.
- Salem-Keizer Public Schools will start one hour later than normal Wednesday start time. Morning preschool is canceled, afternoon preschool will be on a normal schedule, and full-day preschool will start two hours late.
- State offices in Salem will open at 10 a.m. Wednesday. Hybrid and remote workers work regular hours, the state announced.
- Community Action Head Start preschool and Early Head Start classe in Salem and Keizer are canceled Wednesday.
- Bridgeway Recovery Services’ outpatient clinics and administrative offices will open at noon Wednesday. Detox and residential treatment facilities are operating normally.
Update, 2:45 p.m. Tuesday:
Freezing rain has begun falling in Salem.
The National Weather Service said in an afternoon forecast that the city should expect 0.1 to 0.3 inches of ice to accumulate this afternoon. Rain and freezing rain will continue Tuesday night, becoming just rain by 1 a.m. Wednesday.
Salem-Keizer Public Schools will start one hour late on Wednesday, the district said.
Original story:
Salem can expect a quiet morning to get ready for several hours of freezing rain, now forecast to start early afternoon.
The city will appear as if the holiday weekend has been extended. Governments offices are closed. Schools are too. Many nonprofit services, from Family Building Blocks to the Oregon Humane Society, have decided to shut down for the day.
The National Weather Service said in its ice storm warning revised early Tuesday that freezing rain will work north up the Willamette Valley, reaching Salem around 1 p.m. or so. The weather agency said the freezing rain will continue for about 10 hours before the temperature starts climbing above freezing.
“Power outages and tree damage are likely due to the ice. Travel will be difficult. The hazardous conditions will likely impact the evening commute,” the weather service forecast.
About a quarter inch of ice accumulation is expected in Salem, coming on top of the remains of the weekend storm that left many Salem streets and parking areas coated in a mix of snow and ice.
The temperature in Salem sat right around 18 degrees overnight but by breakfast time on Wednesday, the city should climb to 40, the weather service said.
Cherriots said Monday evening that it planned to run normal service on Tuesday, though it would be slowed because buses are chained.
The transit service warned people to keep a close eye on the weather, as it will.
“We will be monitoring conditions closely. Service may get suspended if conditions become unsafe for our staff and customers to travel,” the Cherriots announcement said. “Only travel if absolutely necessary! Once we suspend service, we cannot guarantee a return trip for customers.”
Useful resources
WEATHER:
National Weather Service: forecast
City weather: OneRain
ROADS:
Salem streets: Ice routes
State highways: Tripcheck
UTILITIES:
PGE: 800-544-1795; storm information
Salem Electric: 503-362-3601; outage information
Warming shelters: Status and needs
Cherriots: Service alerts
PREVIOUS COVERAGE:
Outages, tree damage likely as Salem braces for Tuesday ice storm
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Les Zaitz is editor and CEO of Salem Reporter. He co-founded the news organization in 2018. He has been a journalist in Oregon for nearly 50 years in both daily and community newspapers and digital news services. He is nationally recognized for his commitment to local journalism. He also is editor and publisher of the Malheur Enterprise in Vale, Oregon.
