Expect hazardous conditions with rain, wind, expected in NW Oregon, Nov. 13

ODOT release – SALEM – Get ready for some classic autumn weather because gusty winds, a lot of rain and some mountain snow are expected to hit the Oregon Coast and Willamette Valley Thursday night and lasting into Saturday. The snow may make travel dangerous in the Cascade passes, including Government Camp and Santiam Pass. Most of the area should see rain and wind and a lot of both, with the heaviest rains expected Friday morning and lasting until Friday afternoon. The National Weather Service says the strongest winds will hit the Cascades, the Southern Washington Coast, the Oregon Coast and the Willamette Valley during the early hours of Friday morning and continuing until soon after dark. The National Weather Service expects the first rain to hit Thursday afternoon with a second wave arriving Friday afternoon and lasting into Saturday morning. The wind and rain may bring down trees and cause slides, especially in areas where the September wildfires stripped away the underbrush. ODOT asks travelers to think twice before driving over the mountain passes which are expected to get several inches of snow. If you do drive, use plenty of caution and observe a few common sense rules for navigating hazardous weather conditions: Get safely situated. Don’t wait until after a storm hits to get on the road. Get to your destination before conditions turn nasty and unsafe. Travel smart. Consider waiting until a storm passes to get on your bike or in your car. Look out for each other. If you must drive, remember cyclists and pedestrians are harder to see in a storm. If you’re biking or walking remember that cars don’t stop quickly in wintery conditions. Leave early. It’s smart to allow plenty of time to get where you’re going. In severe weather, closures and crashes can cause long delays. Know before you go. Plan your route. Visit com in advance to look at ODOT cameras and check conditions.  Beware of outages. If a storm knocks out power to traffic signals, treat intersections like an all-way stop. The driver who stops first goes first. In severe weather, ODOT readies all available tools in its winter arsenal, including plows, sanders, salt and deicers as appropriate. We pre-position crews and equipment as needed to respond. When mountain passes receive heavy amounts of snow travelers should be prepared for extreme winter conditions by carrying chains and knowing how to use them. Go to our new 2020-2021 Winter Travel News Packet for tips and information for managing winter conditions.