December 23, 2022 4:10 a.m.

While the Umpqua Valley stayed in the mid to upper 30’s Thursday night, travelers didn’t have to go far north to begin encountering challenges as a strong winter storm hit parts of the Pacific Northwest.

The National Weather Service forecast up to a half-inch of ice for much of the Willamette Valley. Temperatures in Eugene and Portland got down to around 20 degrees Thursday night with icy conditions. Bulletins from the Oregon Department of Transportation said drivers should stay off the roadways. Some roads were closed throughout the Willamette Valley. To the east, Interstate 84 remains closed as of last check from Troutdale to Hood River, due to the ice. The City of Eugene declared an Ice Emergency and asked motorists to stay home. Multnomah County and the City of Portland declared a State of Emergency due to the extremely cold weather.

Conditions are expected to moderate mid-day Friday in the Eugene area, transitioning from freezing rain to rain, with a high of around 50 degrees expected. It is a different story in Portland where freezing rain is expected through Friday night or early Saturday. Friday’s high is expected to only reach 32 degrees. By Saturday it’s back to rain for the metro area, with a high of around 40 degrees forecast.’

Most public offices and facilities in the City of Eugene will delay their opening until 10:00 a.m. Friday. The campus of the University of Oregon closed Thursday evening and will remain shuttered Friday. State offices in Lane County and the Portland area remain closed Friday. They will resume regular hours on Tuesday.

Current road conditions are available at www.tripcheck.com.

Stay with News Radio 93-9 FM and 1240 KQEN and check www.541radio.com to stay connected with updated weather information.