STORM WATCH: Snow Returns to Willamette Valley

City of Salem crews are out plowing two inches of snow off the roadways in the hills of south and west Salem.

Snow returned Monday morning to the hills of south Salem. Photo: Kevin Hays

(SALEM) - The snow returned to the hills around Salem late Sunday night. Although it didn’t stick, this morning’s snow showers in the mid-valley did in most locations, forcing some school districts to give kids an extended Thanksgiving holiday break. Here is the following school closures and delays: Dallas - CLOSED Falls City - CLOSED Sheridan - CLOSED Willamina - CLOSED Colton - CLOSED Molalla River - CLOSED Silverton Christian - 2 hrs late. Yamhill-Carlton - Open on time. All buses will be on a 2 hour delay. No AM Kind. No Orchestra. Employees report at their regular time. McMinnville - Highheaven and Upper Peavine Rd. on snow route. Newberg - Routes 10, 11 and all Parrett Mountain on snow routes. Amity - Buses on Snow Routes. City of Salem crews are out plowing up to 2 inches of snow off roadways in west and south Salem said Mike Gotterba, Emergency Preparedness/Communications Manager for Salem public works. The city has two plows out in the south end of town, and two in west Salem. Gotterba says the city is ready to go into 24-hour snow removal operations if needed. The National Weather Service says a Snow Advisory remains in effect until 6:00 AM Tuesday For The Willamette Valley the north Oregon Coast, and the Portland-Vancouver metro area. Snow showers will continue today and tonight. Little accumulation is expected today in the lowest elevations including the larger cities and near the river while accumulations in outlying areas and in the surrounding hills is expected to be from 1 to 3 inches today. Snow showers will decrease on Tuesday as a cold front drops south across the region. 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. The NWS has issued a Heavy Snow Warning for the Coast Range, and the Cascade foothills until 6:00 AM Tuesday. Snow showers will bring additional accumulations of 4 to 8 inches above 500 feet today. Lesser amounts can be expected today below 500 feet in the Willapa Hills and Coast Ranges generally 2 to 4 inches. A Heavy Snow Warning means severe winter weather conditions are expected or are occurring. If you must travel in this weather, keep an extra flashlight, food, a blanket, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.