Oregon Public Broadcasting

Travelers in Western Oregon are keeping an eye out for bad weather today and tomorrow. Portland Mayor Sam Adams announced yesterday the city is keeping close watch, in case sanding and plows are needed.

April Baer / OPB

Sam Adams

"We will be anti-icing," Adams said. "However if there's rain before there's snow, it's a challenge to keep the anti-icing on the ground. Our maps at publicalerts.com now include elevations." So drivers will have more information about which roads in their route might get go above the 500-foot elevation mark. Frequently, weather patterns deliver snow in those areas when the rest of the city and suburbs see rain or no precipitation at all.

Adams asked drivers to remember that not every road in the city is laid on solid ground. Some elevated roads are much more likely to freeze.

Adams confessed he was a bit relieved that the worst of the weather is forecast to hit on a federal holiday, when government offices and schools are closed.

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