Forecasters warned Portland-Vancouver metro area residents to brace themselves and reconsider travel plans as another icy winter storm — one possibly nastier than last month’s — prepares to roll through Clark County over the weekend.
Light snow will start falling in the Vancouver area sometime between 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, according to forecasters at the National Weather Service in Portland.
Jeremiah Pyle, a meteorologist with the weather service, said the snow will pick up later, topping out at around an inch or two of accumulation, before transitioning to freezing rain.
The sleet’s expected to start coming down after 2 p.m.
“It does look like we have the potential for prolonged freezing rain from Saturday evening to Sunday morning,” Pyle said.
The freezing rain could bring a quarter of an inch up to three-quarters of an inch of ice accumulation in the region. Rising temperatures should turn the freezing rain into regular rain Sunday evening, according to forecasters, but Pyle said the timing of that is a bit uncertain.
“Places further east, closer to the Columbia Gorge, like Camas and Washougal, they may see freezing rain into the morning and early afternoon on Sunday,” Pyle said. “If you can avoid at all traveling, that would be ideal. Later Saturday night and Sunday morning look like the worst times to travel, as we’ll still be getting ice.”
Forecasters added some areas may see blustery winds. Vancouver is predicted to see winds in the 8 to 15 mph range, with gusts up to 26 mph during the day Saturday. Winds will calm that night, with speeds expected to be around 9 mph.
On Sunday, Vancouver is forecast to see winds around 10 to 15 mph and gusts up to 25 mph. Winds will die down that night, to around 7 mph, according to the weather service.
Pyle added that if people have any errands to run, try to finish those by noon Saturday. If someone does have to venture out later Saturday or Sunday, Pyle said to be ready to deal with the weather.
“Be prepared for treacherous driving conditions,” he said. “Take some supplies in case you get stuck. Take some water and snow chains.”
Closures, cancellations
Several local organizations said they planned to close shop or cancel events ahead of the weather.
Vancouver Public Schools said all sports activities after 1 p.m. Saturday would be canceled, and those who are away for any sports will be back by 1 p.m., when school buildings will close. Sunday building rentals with the district were also canceled. Battle Ground Public Schools also canceled all activities and community education programs this weekend.
State Sen. Ann Rivers, R- La Center, canceled one of her town hall meetings — at 2:30 p.m. Saturday in Camas — due to the forecast. Early meetings planned in Ridgefield and Battle Ground will continue.
The Oregon Zoo will be closed, and the Oregon Symphony Orchestra canceled its Sunday concert at Skyview High School.
Organizers canceled Sunday’s Resolution Run in Battle Ground.
The National Weather Service said online it was booking hotel rooms for staff, as it wasn’t confident employees would be able to make it home when the storm comes. The office added employees have been bringing progressively larger bags of groceries ahead of each shift in case they’re stranded.
Shelters
The emergency nighttime shelter at Living Hope Church, 2711 N.E. Andresen Road, Vancouver, will attempt to open Saturday and Sunday nights, if there are enough volunteers to staff it. It was to be open from 6 p.m. Friday through 9 a.m. Saturday. The day center will be open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Friends of the Carpenter, 1600 W. 20th St., Vancouver.
Anyone in need of shelter can call Housing Solutions Center at 360-695-9677. The center was scheduled to be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
The Council for the Homeless said St. Anne’s Episcopal Church in Washougal, which runs a car-camping program, was looking for volunteers to help staff its warming shelter. The church needed two volunteers per daytime, evening and overnight shifts Friday and Saturday. Those with questions can contact Rev. Jessie Smith at revjessiemargaret@gmail.com or 360-328-1267.
Pyle said this storm could be more severe than the Dec. 14 snowstorm, which had countless cars sliding off roads during an hourslong traffic backup throughout Clark County and Portland.
“That last event was mostly snow,” Pyle said. “Ice tends to be more slippery than snow. The thing we have going for us this time around is this is over the weekend. That last one was during weekday rush hour. It was just terrible timing. The timing is a little more favorable this time around. Most people should be able to avoid being on the road, so that should help a lot.”
Pyle wasn’t sure if everything would be clear in time for the Monday morning commute, but there is a break Sunday night and early Monday that could start the melting process. However, it’s a tiny window, as Pyle said it looks like two more rounds are heading this way starting with rain Monday night. There’s also a chance for more snow Tuesday night into Wednesday morning.
Roads
The Clark County Public Works department said in a news release that road crews were out Friday spraying de-icing solution on local roadways ahead of the storm.
Public works said specific problems like fallen trees can be called in at 360-397-2446. Report power outages to Clark Public Utilities at 360-992-8000.
Although the freezing rain is expected to ease up Sunday evening, public works said difficult driving conditions could linger into Monday, especially in areas east of Interstate 205 and near the Gorge.
Gorge
The Forest Service warned the cold weather has created icy conditions and caused landslides in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.
The Forest Service reminded wintertime hikers to be cautious, wear gear appropriate to conditions and along bring survival essentials.
A layer of ice closed the lower 1.2 mile reach of Larch Mountain Trail No. 441, which provides access to Benson Bridge and the upper overlook at Multnomah Falls, since mid-December. A landslide was reported on Eagle Creek Trail near milepost 1.5. The rail is still open, but Metlako Falls Overlook was destroyed. The area is unstable, and Metlako Falls Spur Trail is closed until further notice.
The Forest Service asked Multnomah Falls visitors to call 503-695-2376 during inclement to see about closures.
Any downed trees, slides, and other trail conditions can be reported to the National Scenic Area by calling 541-308-1700.
