Portland Forecast Update Says Up To 6 Inches Of Snow By Saturday

PORTLAND, OR – It may not be time to start building your snow ark but you might want to make sure that you have what you need. Just in case.

The National Weather Service has upgraded their forecast to call for a Winter Storm Warning from a Winter Storm Alert.

They say that means, "severe winter weather conditions will make travel very hazardous or impossible. If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency."

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The warning goes into effect at 7 p.m. and lasts through 4 p.m. on Saturday.

By that time, the weather service says that "widespread accumulations of 2 to 4 inches expected" with "localized accumulations of 4 to 6 inches are possible."

Forecasters expect things to start "as a brief period of rain or a rain/snow mix before changing to all snow later this evening."

For the Friday night commute, forecasters from the National Weather Service say that people should "plan on snow and ice covered roads tonight and Saturday. Travel conditions will deteriorate quickly tonight as temperatures fall below freeing."

They add that freezing could happen before the Friday evening commute is even over, especially east of 205.

Forecasters also say that the coming storm may just be the start with more to follow. Depending on how things play out, there could be as much as more than one foot on the ground by Tuesday afternoon.

City and county officials throughout the three-county metro area are preparing for the storm, opening emergency shelters and planning to do welfare checks in homeless camps.

Officials urge that if you see a neighbor or someone else in need, call 911.

Being outdoors with proper clothing in this weather is potentially a life or death situation.

With the storms possibly lasting into next week, officials point out that if the snow does last, it could affect garbage and recycling collections. They say that you should leave the roll carts by the curb and they'll picked up as soon as possible – or even on schedule if the weather allows.

Portland Bureau of Transportation officials say that, if possible, you should consider delaying your commute. If you do need to need to travel, they say, try to take public transportation.

PBOT also wants property owners, tenants, and businesses to remember that they are responsible for clearing sidewalks.

Officials say that they've also set up a Winter Weather Center online where people can check the latest and see where salt trucks, anti-icing trucks, and plows are in real time.

You can also check the elevation of places that you plan to be as well as look at live traffic cameras.

Meanwhile, there's a chance that the weather will cause further delays for planes leaving Portland International Airport and arriving. Most flights between Portland and Seattle have been canceled.

You can go here to check the latest information provided to the airport by airlines.

This story will be updated as events develop.

File photo via Colin Miner/Patch.