Is It Snowing in Portland, Oregon?

While it might not be super accurate, this simple site captures the way people panic in the PNW when it snows. It’s not uncommon to see cars abandoned on the side of roads (SR-520 in Washington, for example).

Thanks for making me smile this morning.

Re: Is It Snowing in Portland, Oregon?

#5

Post by geocrasher » Sun, Dec 26, 2021, 5:22 PM UTC

I'm outside of Olympia WA and it snowed pretty decent (several inches) last night and this pretty well explains the feeling. Nice job :D

Re: Is It Snowing in Portland, Oregon?

#6

Post by bcherny » Sun, Dec 26, 2021, 5:23 PM UTC

I’m currently in Ashland, and was planning to drive up to Portland today. With strong snow all along the 5 [1], I’m thinking it’s better to bunker down for a few days before doing the trip.

It’s normally a 4.5 hour drive, but with snow chains and delays I could see it being closer to 10.

[1] https://www.tripcheck.com/DynamicReports/Report/RoadConditio...

Re: Is It Snowing in Portland, Oregon?

#7

Post by vvanders » Sun, Dec 26, 2021, 5:24 PM UTC

jhatax wrote: post #4

While it might not be super accurate, this simple site captures the way people panic in the PNW when it snows. It’s not uncommon to see cars abandoned on the side of roads (SR-520 in Washington, for example). Thanks for making me smile this morning.

West WA doesn't have the infrastructure to clear the roads(which makes sense given how infrequently it snows) combine that with some steep areas and it's fairly predictable what happens.

Re: Is It Snowing in Portland, Oregon?

#8

Post by sizzzzlerz » Sun, Dec 26, 2021, 5:27 PM UTC

jhatax wrote: post #4

While it might not be super accurate, this simple site captures the way people panic in the PNW when it snows. It’s not uncommon to see cars abandoned on the side of roads (SR-520 in Washington, for example). Thanks for making me smile this morning.

Around Thanksgiving, I drove through Portland on my way up to Washington and then back to Cali. Even with the roads dry and snow-free, traffic was a frickin' nightmare. Even so, Portlanders should feel good that traffic there is still better than driving through Seattle.

Re: Is It Snowing in Portland, Oregon?

#9

Post by geocrasher » Sun, Dec 26, 2021, 5:27 PM UTC

bcherny wrote: post #6

I’m currently in Ashland, and was planning to drive up to Portland today. With strong snow all along the 5 [1], I’m thinking it’s better to bunker down for a few days before doing the trip. It’s normally a 4.5 hour drive, but with snow chains and delays I could see it being closer to 10. [1] https://www.tripcheck.com/DynamicReports/Report/RoadConditio...

Completely random question: Are you from California? The reason I ask is that you said "The 5".

Edit: To those who said that's a SoCal thing: I Know. I got razzed endlessly when I moved to Reno from the Palm Springs area for saying "The 395, The 80", which are the only two freeways in the region lol.

Re: Is It Snowing in Portland, Oregon?

#10

Post by cronix » Sun, Dec 26, 2021, 5:29 PM UTC

vvanders wrote: post #7

jhatax wrote: post #4

While it might not be super accurate, this simple site captures the way people panic in the PNW when it snows. It’s not uncommon to see cars abandoned on the side of roads (SR-520 in Washington, for example). Thanks for making me smile this morning.

West WA doesn't have the infrastructure to clear the roads(which makes sense given how infrequently it snows) combine that with some steep areas and it's fairly predictable what happens.

Western OR is the same way. Portland rarely gets snow, so we have basically no snow plows and have to just wait it out. It's also rare that the snow isn't preceded by a lot of rain, so they don't use deicer unless it's dry pavement. We don't do salt on our roads for environmental reasons either. East of the Cascades, the other 2/3 of the state, it's a completely different story.