Thaw from Portland winter storm begins, but ice could linger

In parts of Portland, the ice that had clumped roads and windows over the previous two days appeared on Saturday, but in other areas it may not have thawed until the afternoon.

Andy Bryant, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Portland, said temperatures are approaching melting point in much of the area.

“We’re right on the edge of it right now,” Bryant said shortly before 8am.

Bryant said most of the metropolitan area will reach freezing temperatures by 1 p.m., but parts of eastern Multnomah County, near the Columbia River, will experience temperatures above freezing in the metropolitan areas. will be last and can take until late afternoon.

Early Saturday morning, Interstate 84 was closed from Troutdale to the Hood River in the Columbia River Gorge, which may not see a strong thaw until late afternoon.

When temperatures rise above freezing in certain areas, rain or traffic passing over busy roads can help break up frozen roads. It may remain untouched.

Still, travelers should be familiar with the weather and road conditions throughout the route.

Once thawing begins, it should survive overnight and for the next few days. Warm air will arrive to break the deep freeze and overnight lows will stay in his late 30s.

“Once temperatures rise, there’s no going back,” Bryant said. “Calm conditions will continue for most of the weekend and into Tuesday.”

— Elliott Nuss; [email protected]