STORM WATCH: Winter Wonderland Closes Salem-Keizer Schools Tuesday

Schools CLOSED for Salem-Keizer, other Closures Are Below

City of Salem crews tandem plowing and sanding on Commercial Street SE. Photo: City of Salem

(SALEM) - Snow showers returned to the Salem-area early Monday afternoon creating a winter wonderland throughout the Willamette Valley. Some areas reported heavy snowfall throughout the day, while others had brief off and on snow showers. Roads in some areas, where city, county, and state road crews hadn’t got to yet to remove the snow and slush, became slick and dangerous. The National Weather Service says you can expect more of the same for your Tuesday morning commute. The snow did cause some minor fender benders throughout the valley, but police reported no major injuries. Students at Sprague High School said two school busses collided on school property. No injuries were reported in the incident. Police do ask that if you must travel in this weather, PLEASE slow down and give yourself plenty of space between you and the vehicle in front of you. Monday morning’s snow showers in the mid-valley did in most locations, forcing some school districts to give kids an extended Thanksgiving holiday break. That trend could continue Tuesday morning. Here is the list of school closures and delays on Tuesday: Salem-Keizer - Salem-Keizer public schools are CLOSED. 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. Salem Academy: All campuses 2 hour delay. No pre-school or kindergarten AM or PM classes. Childcare opens 2 hours late. Buses run on 2 hour delay. 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 were out plowing up to 2 inches of snow off roadways in west and south Salem Monday according to Mike Gotterba, Emergency Preparedness/Communications Manager for Salem public works. Five plows and a smaller truck-mounted v-plow are currently being placed into operation. As of 4:00 PM Monday, city crews have transitioned to 12-hour shifts around the clock until the snow event abates Gotterba said.. 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 tonight and Tuesday. Little accumulation is expected tonight 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 tonight. 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 cancelled a Heavy Snow Warning for the Coast Range, and the Cascade foothills. The NWS says that another system will move into the area Wednesday night into Thursday morning which could bring freezing rain to the valley. Your Salem, Keizer Mid-Valley Forecast From Salem-News.com: Tonight: Snow showers likely. Areas of snow accumulation 1 to 2 inches locally up to 3 inches near cascade foothills. Lows around 30. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Tuesday: Mostly cloudy with a chance of snow showers in the morning...then partly sunny in the afternoon. Highs around 35. North wind 10 to 15 mph. For more information on Salem’s Snow and Ice Response Program visit: www.cityofsalem.net/export/de...