Winter returns: Wind, rain, snow, power outages hit region

By Bill Roberson, KATU News Published: Mar 12, 2012 at 12:53 PM PDT Last Updated: Mar 12, 2012 at 3:54 PM PDT
Winter returns: Wind, rain, snow, power outages hit region
This van slid off Highway 26 in the Coast Range on Monday. The driver was not hurt. (Photo by Lincoln Graves, KATU News)

PORTLAND, Ore. - Just when you thought spring might be here to stay, winter reminds us it still has a few tricks up it's sleeve.

On Monday, those weather surprises included gusting winds, a good dose of rain and a snow level between 1,000 and 1,500 feet.

By 3:45 p.m., PGE reported about 4,800 customers total were without power in numerous outages. That was down from a high of 17,000 customers earlier in the day.

At higher elevations above 1,500 feet, falling snow created slick conditions in mountain passes, including in the Coast Range. The snow level will fall to 1,000 feet overnight into Tuesday, KATU Meteorologist Joe Raineri said.

Oregon State Police said a trooper was involved in a crash Monday on Highway 26 near Elsie. The trooper was unable to avoid hitting a 1997 Mercedes sedan that was sliding in "heavy snow road conditions." One person in the Mercedes had a minor injury, OSP said.

Another driver escaped injury on Highway 26 when his van slid off a snow-covered road and down an embankment. The driver said snow was sticking to the road at the highest elevations along the highway through the Coast Range.

In Salem, a large tree fell on several cars parked outside Saint Paul's Episcopal Church.

Raineri said coastal residents north of Depoe Bay can expect "hurricane force wind gusts" with gusts possibly reaching 80 mph on Monday. Inland, gusts could reach 45 mph, possibly downing trees and knocking out power, Raineri said.

Fellow Meteorologist Dave Salesky said the winds will work their way up the Willamette Valley and hit the Portland area in the afternoon. The National Weather Service has posted a Wind Advisory for the Willamette Valley and parts of Southwest Washington and a High Wind Warning for much of the Oregon Coast.

Raineri said inland locations will see the heaviest rain later in the day. Some coastal areas could see 2 inches of rain and the Portland area could get an inch or so before the storm moves through on Tuesday.

The weather for Tuesday is a expected to be a bit less windy and temperatures should rise some by Wednesday, but the weather pattern will remain soggy this week, Raineri said.

Here's a forecast update from Joe: