California saw more snow and rain on Wednesday, which caused travel disruptions along mountain roads and raised the risk of debris flow from wildfire burn scars.
Nevada’s governor has declared a state emergency because of snow and storm conditions that have impacted travel in the Lake Tahoe region of northern Nevada.
Forecasters predict that parts of Washington could get as much as 3 inches (7.6 cm) of snow on Thursday, while northwestern Oregon could experience a similar amount.
After extreme cold air from Canada’s Fraser River Valley on Sunday, the normally temperate Pacific Northwest region has been experiencing severe chills. Temperatures have soared to the single digits in certain areas.
Traveling in snow and ice can be dangerous in certain parts of the country, causing travel delays and closures. People are forced to seek refuge in emergency warming centers.
Since Sunday, nearly 1,300 flights from and to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport were cancelled due to the weather and pandemic. Bad weather and poorly equipped airports have made the situation in Alaska very difficult. This has left hundreds of people, many of them from coastal villages, stranded in Bethel.
The temperature could rise above freezing in Seattle on Thursday, and even higher in Portland. This is before the Pacific airflow blows in over the weekend. It causes the mercury to rise further to the 40s Fahrenheit (4.44 Celsius) seasonable highs.
Oregon state officials have declared an emergency. About a half-dozen weather shelters were opened in Multnomah County, home to Portland, this week. Similar shelters were also opened in Seattle’s King County.
This holiday season, hundreds of Oregon motorists were involved in accidents due to winter weather and the return of pre-pandemic traffic levels.
Oregon Public Broadcasting reported that there were 915 traffic incidents in Oregon between Dec. 23-28. According to Oregon State Police, there were 365 and 237 accidents in the same time period last year. It is not yet known how many people died.
David House, spokesperson for Oregon Department of Transportation, stated that the recent high number of traffic accidents is a reminder for travelers to be cautious and to prepare for slippery conditions.
House stated, “If you are able to stay still for a few more days, you should avoid going out there. That’s the best thing you can do.”
A statement was released by Nevada’s Governor. Steve Sisolak’s Office stated that the emergency declaration will enable state officials to direct vehicles entering mountain highways to stop and turn around until conditions improve and roads are safe to travel.
The statement stated that this would help to prevent motorists from getting stuck overnight on the roads, possibly running out of gas in subfreezing temperatures and not having access to emergency services.
The U.S. 50, State Routes 207 and 28, were suffering from long delays and dangerous situations. Authorities need to be able clear the roads to allow for snow plows and emergency vehicles to use them.
Caltrans stated that snowplows are available 24 hours a day and advised people to avoid travel in the Sierra.
The Northstar resort at Lake Tahoe, which received 135 inches (3.43m) of snow since Dec. 21, was one of the most impressive in the Sierra.
