Winter Weather — Central Willamette Valley, Oregon

2007-12-21 · Central Willamette Valley, Oregon

Event narrative

Cold air over the area resulting from a recent frontal passage left wet roads susceptible to ice formation overnight. A collision occurred in the morning hours near Salem and was attributed to icy road conditions, which resulted in one indirect fatality. The accident occurred after a car slid into the path of an oncoming truck.

Wider weather episode

A potent Pacific storm and associated cold front brought strong winds to the coast and heavy snow to the Cascades. Behind the front in the unstable airmass, snow levels dropped and cold air hung over the forecast area. Three car crashes were reported, one due to hail on the road, and two due to slick roads, which resulted in four indirect fatalities.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 70559. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.