Columbia River Gorge, Ore. An unusually strong winter storm is expected to make conditions in the Columbia River Gorge dangerous for travel and recreation starting on Thursday, potentially lasting through Friday morning.
The National Weather Service has issued a Wind Advisory and Winter Storm Warning for “the strongest storm of this type in quite a while.” A combination of snow, high winds, freezing rain, and icy surfaces will make conditions for recreation dangerous on Thursday, even for intrepid adventurers.
By Thursday morning, storm conditions may not yet be apparent, but the weather service expects high winds and snow to arrive in the gorge during the day on Thursday with increasing intensity. A wintry mix of freezing rain or sleet is expected to continue into Friday morning. (Temira disagrees and says it will continue through at least Friday afternoon, if not Saturday morning.)
“We recommend hikers, trail runners, and other recreationalists avoid National Forest System trails in the Columbia River Gorge on Thursday,” said Rachel Pawlitz, public affairs officer for the scenic area, “Anyone venturing out into the backcountry will be vulnerable to worsening conditions which will put them at risk of hypothermia.”
Precipitation may transition into rain in the Columbia River Gorge at some point on Friday, warming in the west end of the gorge first. Visitors from Portland should assess local conditions in the gorge before heading eastward for recreation. The National Weather Service in Portland will provide regular updates and advisories covering most of the Columbia River Gorge in the coming days. Travelers headed east of the gorge should check the National Weather Service office in Pendleton.
Forecasted conditions will make roads that traverse the gorge, including Interstate 84 and Washington 14, slick and potentially dangerous. Check ODOT and WSDOT websites for information on road conditions, closures, and driving tips.
