Snow hits western Oregon, closes roads
LINCOLN CITY, Ore. -- Oregon Highway 18 between the Oregon Coast and the Willamette Valley closed Tuesday afternoon due to winter conditions and numerous vehicle crashing blocking the highway.
And traffic on Interstate 5 southbound was halted at Ashland at the request of Caltrans as snow hit Oregon from top to bottom -- even as Eugene was spared the worst of it.
Hwy 18 was closed 9 miles east of Otis and 6 miles west of Grand Ronde.
Travel cameras showed a deserted snowy road.
The precipitation falling on Eugene as rain hit Salem and points north as snow on Tuesday. Use caution if you are traveling north on Interstate 5 on Tuesday afternoon and evening.
Forecasters also said up to an inch of snow or sleet could fall in the Corvallis, Ore., area Tuesday afternoon and evening.
Winter Weather Advisory
A Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect until 10 a.m. Wednesday for the Cascades of south Washington, north Oregon and Lane County.
National Weather Service forecasters said snow will continue Tuesday night, with the heaviest expected between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m.
Snow will decrease overnight, but accumulations of 6 to 9 inches are expected in the mountains through Wednesday afternoon.
Steady snow will turn to snow showers early Wednesday, forecasters said.
A Winter Weather Advisory for snow means that periods of snow will cause travel difficulties, the Weater Service said. Be prepared for snow-covered roads and limited visibilities and use caution while driving.
Check out some of the YouNews photo submitted to our sister site KATU.com in Portland:
Snow in Wilsonville Dec. 29, 2009, courtesy YouNews contributor dross.
Snow in McMinnville, courtesy YouNews contributor lillyrose16.
Snow at Bush Park in South Salem, courtesy KATU's Gino Corridori.
It's snowing now in Keizer, photo courtesy YouNews contributor keenepomscomcas.
