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(Feb. 13, 2025) The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) advises the traveling public to continue to avoid travel through Friday. Additional freezing rain and snow forecast for tonight and Friday morning before dawn will continue to make travel hazardous.
While temperatures in some areas may rise into the upper 30s on Friday, cold temperatures and wind are expected to make for continued icy conditions across much of the city. Cold is expected to linger and could slow the thawing of streets at high elevation areas citywide, and at areas east of I-205, where cold winds from the Columbia River Gorge affect conditions.
Use extreme caution if traveling on Friday afternoon. Narrow neighborhood streets and sidewalks that have not been treated will likely be frozen and slick, creating hazardous conditions for all travelers. If possible, delay travel until conditions are safer or consider using public transit.
People with the option to work remotely are encouraged to do so.
The forecast has some uncertainty. In the days and hours before a winter storm, forecasts often change. If you are traveling tomorrow morning, adjust your plans to conditions you see in real-time.
After plowing, there are patches of pavement emerging on SW 35th Avenue on Thursday. Photo by PBOT.
PBOT crews, aerial tram work around the clock
PBOT crews have been working around the clock to prepare snow and ice routes for the snow and ice that arrived today.
Overnight on Wednesday night, crews placed 8,000 gallons of de-icer and 300-400 cubic yards of salt on our routes in the West Hills and East Portland. Snowplows were deployed all over the city, in position ahead of when the precipitation arrived on this morning.
As of this afternoon, there were five small road closures across nearly 5,000 miles of streets in the City of Portland. Often in winter storms, PBOT closes roads because of vehicles crashing on icy roads, but with members of the public avoiding travel today, road closures have been minimal.
In winter weather PBOT's Portland Aerial Tram works overtime. The tram has extended its hours of operation through the night to maintain access to OHSU and Marquam Hill residents.
 On Wednesday morning, PBOT crews added snowplows and sand/salt spreaders to their maintenance trucks to be ready for winter weather.
Stay up-to-date.
Subscribe to winter weather alerts by email or text:
Get Home Safe
At the first sign of snow or ice, especially if it comes earlier than expected and you are away from home, it's best to avoid travel:
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Find a safe, warm place to stay and delay your trip. Wait it out at the office, dine at a local restaurant or stay at a hotel to further delay travel. Those options may cost some money, but a citation and tow charges for an abandoned vehicle blocking a travel lane can cost more than $500 -- and still require you to walk home in freezing, snowy conditions.
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Be prepared to travel based on the conditions you encounter during your trip. See accumulating snow? Slow down. Carry traction devices like chains and an emergency weather kit in your vehicle. Helpful items to include in addition to chains are a snow shovel, bag of sand, jumper cables, first aid kit, basic tools (pliers, wrench, screwdriver and knife), blanket and warm clothing, extra food and water, cell phone and extra charger, and a flashlight.
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If you do choose to drive and find yourself without traction, move your vehicle away from travel lanes. Any vehicle parked illegally may face a tow, especially any vehicle blocking a travel lane, streetcar tracks or other public transit route. Abandoned vehicles that block travel lanes can slow down emergency responders and the snowplow operators who make safe passage for them.
Additional tips in 10 languages on PBOT's website:
Freezing rain? Delay your trip, take TriMet
Freezing rain is extremely hazardous. Pedestrians as well as people driving or biking are advised to avoid travel during freezing rain. If you must travel, be prepared to respond to conditions.
Slow down and use extra caution. Be prepared to pull over to park your vehicle and wait for conditions to improve.
Dress warmly and consider wearing shoe cleats, like micro-spikes, to provide traction when walking in icy conditions.
If you can't delay travel, consider public transit. During winter weather, public transit is a great first option. Be prepared for delays. Check for alerts and changes to transit routes. Maps and schedules available on TriMet and Streetcar websites:
Monitor road closures, report hazards
Find all winter-related road closures and chain advisories on PBOT's website:
Report downed trees. Downed tree or large limb on city property or public streets? Report at 503-823-8733 (TREE). Dispatchers available 24/7. Be patient. To minimize safety risk, Urban Forestry crews clear the largest debris first.
Report road hazards. Call PBOT Maintenance Dispatch 24/7 at 503-823-1700, email pdxroads@portlandoregon.gov, or use PDX Reporter.
Prepare like our crews do
The public should be prepared for worse conditions than forecast, including more snow or ice arriving earlier or later than expected. Forecasts come with uncertainty, and predicting snow in the Portland area can be difficult.
During winter weather, PBOT works to keep vital public transit lines and emergency routes open. These snow and ice routes are the most critical for our city’s police and fire stations, hospitals, schools, frequent bus routes, the downtown core, and major business districts -- about a third of our entire street grid.
PBOT’s mission is to provide at least one passable lane in each direction on these routes so that vehicles with front wheel drive or traction devices can get through.
For a full interactive map of our snow and ice routes, and to watch equipment cover the city in real-time, start on PBOT's website:
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The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) is the steward of the city’s transportation system and a community partner in shaping a livable city. We plan, build, manage, and maintain an effective and safe transportation system that provides access and mobility. Learn more at portland.gov/transportation
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