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Portland metro area sees heavy snow, Clark County declares state of emergency

The Portland metro area has received 6-10 inches of snow, while the Willamette Valley down to Salem has received an inch of ice accumulation.

PORTLAND, Ore. — Editor's note: This story is no longer being updated. Click here for the latest snow updates.

Snow and freezing rain continued to fall through Saturday morning in the Portland metro area, with a total of 6-10 inches of snow blanketing the North Willamette Valley and Southwest Washington since Thursday, and an inch of ice accumulating on Marion County roads, KGW meteorologist Rod Hill reported.

The weather looks different depending on location. Hill said the dividing line for ice vs. snow is near Woodburn and just outside of McMinnville. He said that line has stayed pretty consistent throughout the storm.

The snow and ice mix has caused slick roads, downed trees and power lines throughout the metro area. Interstate 84 in the gorge is closed between Troutdale and Hood River and TriMet has temporarily suspended all bus and MAX service. People should stay home and avoid driving if possible.

Hundreds of thousands of customers are without power across the metro area. As of noon Saturday, Portland General Electric reported more than 270,000 customers without power from Portland down through Marion County. Check for updates in your area.

RELATED: KGW reporter notebook: Snow day Friday turns into ice night

Portland metro area

Portland and surrounding areas have received between 6 and 10 inches of snow since Thursday night, Hill reported. People should stay home and avoid driving if possible. Check the latest traffic updates

A Winter Storm Warning is in effect through 4 p.m. Saturday in the Portland metro area. Hill said additional snow showers Saturday will bring 1-4 inches of new snowfall during the day with breezy east winds and temperatures rising to near 32 degrees.

Hill said the moisture will return to a mix of sleet, freezing rain and snow for areas north of Salem on Saturday night. He said the total moisture through Sunday morning could be another 2-3 inches of snow and one-tenth of an inch of ice accumulation.

Looking ahead to Sunday, Hill said temperatures in the north valley and southwest Washington will warm above freezing with daytime moisture changing to rain at times. He said Sunday night "will be a close call as a warm front throws deeper moisture out our way and Portland temperatures hold near freezing."

Monday will bring warmer temperatures with moisture turning to rain and ending the threat of winter weather.

Columbia River Gorge

The Columbia River Gorge is under a Winter Storm Warning through 12 a.m. Sunday. Heavy snow fell Friday night, accompanied by east winds up to 30 mph, the National Weather Service (NWS) said.

Wind blowing snow around in the gorge led to dangerous driving conditions. Interstate 84 in the gorge is closed between Troutdale and Hood River. Highway 14, on the Washington side of the Columbia River, is also closed between Washougal and White Salmon.

RELATED: What if you get stranded? Here's what should be in your winter emergency kit

Southwest Washington

Clark County declared a state of emergency Saturday morning due to heavy snow and ice in the area. Officials are asking Clark County residents to stay home and off the roads until weather conditions improve. 

"Multiple roads throughout the county, especially in Washougal, have become impassable due to deteriorating weather conditions," the county announced.

By early Saturday morning, six Public Works snowplows were stuck in the deep snow and ice in the Washougal area.

The region is under a Winter Storm Warning through 4 p.m. 

Willamette Valley

An Ice Storm Warning is in effect in the mid-Willamette Valley until noon Saturday. That includes the areas of Salem, McMinnville, Woodburn, Stayton and Dallas. Hill said there were widespread reports of an inch of ice in Marion County.

Travel in the area is highly discouraged. Power outages were reported throughout Marion County.

Hill said he believes Marion County will hold above freezing the remainder of the weekend with freezing rain turning to rain.

Coast Range

A Winter Storm Warning is in effect along the Coast Range until 4 p.m., with heavy mixed precipitation expected, according to NWS. The highest ice accumulation will be in the western Coast Range valleys with primarily snow for the more northern and eastern Coast Range valleys like Jewell and Vernonia.

Also in the Coast Range, including the Willapa Hills in Washington, wind gusts will reach up to 45 mph, mainly on exposed ridges. 

What's next?

Hill said the Portland metro area will see additional snow showers Saturday with another 1-4 inches of snow during the day. On Saturday night, the moisture should return to a mix of sleet, freezing rain and snow for areas north of Salem on Saturday night. Hill said the total moisture through Sunday morning could be another 2-3 inches of snow and 1/10 of an inch of ice accumulation.

Looking ahead to Sunday, Hill said temperatures in the north valley and southwest Washington will warm above freezing with daytime moisture changing to rain at times. He said Sunday night "will be a close call as a warm front throws deeper moisture out our way and Portland temperatures hold near freezing."

Monday will bring warmer temperatures with moisture turning to rain and ending the threat of winter weather.

The Ice Storm Warning for the Salem area expires at noon Saturday. Hill said he believes Marion County will hold above freezing the remainder of the weekend with freezing rain turning to rain.

Freezing rain and snow will continue to fall in the gorge all weekend.

The weather through Sunday will remain as cold as it’s been this winter, with temperatures falling into the low 20s at night and potentially not getting above freezing during the day. Prior to this stretch, the coldest Portland had been this winter was 27 degrees, on Jan. 23 and Dec. 29. In fact, Portland had reached 40 degrees every day this winter before these snowstorms came, Zaffino said.

RELATED: Winter Storm is mainly an ice storm overnight into Saturday

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