Problems continued Wednesday morning as the latest January storm created icy conditions in Washington County and brought heavy snowfall to the Cascades.

Oregon State Police/kgw.com

A trooper blocks off the road for safety after snow slid onto Highway 20.

Temperatures dropped in Washington County early Wednesday morning and suddenly police dispatchers' call lights lit up with crash reports due to ice. That included a rollover crash on NW Cornelius Road, a car into a pole on NW Glencoe Road, and a serious crash on SW 185th Avenue, among others.

More: Ice leads to 16 Wash. Co. crashes in 2 hours

As for the mountains, hillsides of snow once again broke loose overnight along Highway 20 near Santiam Pass, triggering small avalanches that covered the roadway and forced crews to re-close the highway early Wednesday morning. As of noon, one lane had been re-opened.

More: Snow slides onto Hwy. 20 at Santiam Pass

And on Highway 26 heading over Mt. Hood, a semi-truck without chains slid on the snow-covered road and jacknifed, blocking the highway just after 1 a.m. The semi was moved and the highway re-opened around 2 a.m.

Also, Crater Lake National Park remained closed Wednesday morning after an avalanche blocked a massive section of Highway 62. Officials with the Oregon Dept. of Transportation said a 300-foot section of the highway was affected west of the Munson Valley Road entrance to the park. No injuries were reported in the avalanche.

More: Avalanche closes only winter route to Crater Lake

The storm was now pulling away, according to KGW Meteorologist Joe Michaels, and steady rain was turning to showers in the valleys Wedneday. But the Cascades were still getting snow.

"By Thursday, precipitation will turn lighter and more scattered across the Northwest, providing a brief lull in the action. By Thursday night, however, the next strong storm will roll in, so expect more rain in the valleys, snow in the Cascades, and wind along the coast," Michaels said. "The weekend will be a bit more tranquil, with just a weak system passing through."

Storm first took hold on Monday

The storm moved into the Northwest overnight Monday, bringing light snow to Portland's high elevations as it brought heavy snow to other parts of the state.

About an inch of snow fell in Portland's West Hills, according to KGW Meteorologist Dave Salesky.

Roads were coated with ice and snow in the Gorge, but there were no reports of any accidents.

The heavy snow warning remains in effect until 4 p.m. Tuesday afternoon for the upper Hood River Valley.

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A heavy snow warning remains in effect for the Northern Oregon, Lane County and South Washington Cascades through Wednesday morning.

Cities affected include Government Camp, Detroit, Santiam Pass, McKenzie Bridge, Oakridge, Willamette Pass and Mount St. Helens.

Photo courtesy of JDB

Early snowfall in Forest Gale Heights, Forest Grove on Tuesday morning.

Snow levels are expected to rise through late Tuesday to around 4,000 feet in the North and Central Oregon Cascades.

Total snow accumulations over two feet are expected by early Wednesday, especially above pass levels.

The National Weather Service advises limiting travel in those areas to emergencies.

High Wind Warning

The South Central Oregon and Curry County coasts are under a high wind warning Tuesday.

Cities in the warning include Coos Bay, North Bend, Reedsport, Coquille, Brookings, Harbor and Gold Beach.

The high wind warning remains in effect until 10 a.m.

Southerly winds at 30 to 40 mile per hour with gusts to 60 miles per hour will continue along the coast through Tuesday morning.

Winds will decrease to 15 to 25 miles an hour after 10 a.m. after the front has moved inland.

 Also: MultCo. road washed out in runoff

Some school districts delayed or cancelled classes Tuesday morning for the second day in a row. On Monday, snow and ice contributed to several crashes.

Also: Ten-car crash in Salem
More: Man hurt in back-to-back crashes on black ice