Portland and surrounding areas brace for a wintry mix as the National Weather Service issued a Winter Weather Advisory early Wednesday, cautioning locals of potential commuting hazards. The advisory, encompassing parts of Oregon and Washington, including the Greater Portland and Vancouver Areas, is in effect from 8:00 p.m. Wednesday until 4:00 p.m. Thursday.
Forecasters warn of "wet snow expected. Total snow accumulations of up to 2 inches. Winds gusting as high as 31 mph," which could lead to slippery road conditions, especially during Thursday morning’s commute. While the advisory primarily targets the period from late evening into Thursday, there's a roughly 20 percent chance that accumulating snow will also affect Wednesday evening’s commute. Especially for those north and east of Interstate 205, and on higher grounds above 500 feet.
Adding to the wintry mayhem, a Dense Fog Advisory was also in place until 8:00 a.m., with visibility dropping to a quarter mile or less. The fog introduced additional driving hazards until it dissipated post-sunrise, but it served as the precursor to the more impactful weather conditions anticipated later in the day.
Drivers are advised to slow down and be cautious while traveling.
