Winter weather advisories have been issued for wide sections of Washington and Oregon, with freezing rain and mixed precipitation likely to cause hazardous travel conditions from early Thursday to early Friday.
The National Weather Service in Pendleton issued advisories for the eastern slopes of the Washington Cascades, the Kittitas and Yakima basins, the Columbia Basin, central Oregon, the Columbia River Gorge, and foothill villages along the Blue Mountains. The timing varies by region, but typically advisories are issued between 2 a.m. and 10 a.m. Thursday and remain in effect until late Thursday night or early Friday morning.
Forecasters predict freezing rain and mixed precipitation, with ice accumulations ranging from a light coating to about a tenth of an inch. While ice accumulations are very low, even little amounts can cause slick roads, icy bridges, and hazardous driving conditions.
Snoqualmie Pass, Cle Elum, Ellensburg, Yakima, the Tri-Cities, Goldendale, and parts of the eastern Cascade crest are among the locations affected in Washington. Advisories cover central Oregon cities including Bend, Redmond, and Prineville, as well as the eastern Columbia River Gorge, the Lower Columbia Basin, and foothill areas like Pendleton, Hermiston, Heppner, and The Dalles.
The National Weather Service cautioned that freezing rain might disrupt both the Thursday morning and evening commutes in numerous places. Power outages are also likely if ice forms on trees and utility lines, especially in higher elevations and exposed areas.
During icing conditions, drivers should slow down, increase their following distance, and minimize unnecessary travel. Transportation officials recommend verifying current road conditions before leaving using WSDOT and TripCheck programs.
With advisories lasting into New Year’s Day and midnight hours, officials urge caution since ice conditions may persist even after precipitation stops.
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