SNOW WATCH: City of Salem Crews Ready For Snow, Ice

St. Joseph School religious education class for Wednesday night has been canceled. Blanchet Catholic School open house has been canceled.

City of Salem crews are ready when snow returns to the Salem-area Wednesday. Photo: City of Salem

(SALEM) - City of Salem Public Works spokesman Mike Gotterba says plowing and sanding crews are ready to hit and clear the streets of Salem should snow fall Wednesday.

Gotterba says crews know where the problem areas are and they will focus on them first. Then crews focus on clearing major arterial and collector streets, then begin responding to residential connector streets, school zones, transit routes, and steep residential streets as resources become available Gotterba said.

ODOT crews will focus their snow removal on the Marion and Center Street Bridges, I-5, and Highway 22.

ODOT says crews carry emergency equipment such as chains, flares and gas cans should a problem arise.

Salem police ask that if you must travel in the snow, slow down and allow extra space between you and the vehicle in front of you.

A National Weather Service Snow Advisory remains in effect from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM Wednesday for the coast range, inland valleys, Columbia Gorge, and Cascade foothills.

Rain will turn to snow Wednesday morning as colder Arctic air invades southwestern Washington and northwestern Oregon.

Accumulations of one to two inches are likely above 500 feet and local accumulations of an inch are likely in lowest valley elevations.

Accumulations of 3 to 6 inches are likely in the Willapa Hills, coast range and Cascade foothills.

The heaviest snowfall is expected in the morning hours starting during the morning commute and snow showers will continue through the afternoon with some brief locally heavy accumulations.

Snowfall is expected to taper off in the late afternoon and evening. A Snow Advisory means that periods of snow will cause primarily travel difficulties.

Be Prepared! For snow covered roads and limited visibilities and use caution while driving.

Reports of snow and ice accumulations on city streets, downed trees and/or power lines, should be directed to the Salem Public Works Dispatch Center at (503) 588-6063.