Winter Weather — Western Columbia River Gorge, Oregon

2008-01-26 · Western Columbia River Gorge, Oregon

Event narrative

Heavy freezing rain was reported from Bonneville westward through the Columbia River Gorge. Multiple injury accidents occurred due to cars sliding on the slick roadway of I-84. One accident was fatal, killing a 71-year old woman. She was unable to stop her van, and it slid into the back of a stopped tractor-trailer, and was eventually hit a second time by a motor home. This accident, combined with multiple others, caused I-84 to be closed for a time near Corbett.

Wider weather episode

Another strong Pacific system brought more snow to the already snow-laden Oregon Cascades and Cascade Foothills. This storm was particularly strong and very cold, resulting in low elevation snow as well. Snow accumulations were reported in the Columbia River Gorge, the Upper Hood River Valley, as well as the southern Willamette Valley. Multiple school closures occurred and were contributed to hazardous road conditions after snowfall blanketed many roads.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 78725. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.