Salem-News.com Weather articles Page 44

Black Ice Alert Issued in Portland for Next Few Mornings

Black ice is a thin layer of ice that remains on roads that are not getting direct sunlight.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - March is indeed going out like a lion! The City of Portland Office of Transportation advises the public to be alert for black ice the next few mornings, especially in the hills. Cold temperatures and moisture could create slick conditions for motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians.

Night crews will apply anti-icing chemical in the hills tonight and Friday night. Crews will monitor conditions around the city over the weekend and respond accordingly.

Oregon Studded Tire Season Extended through Saturday

Studded tires cause at least $11 million damage each year.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Forecasts from the National Weather Service predict a slight rise in temperatures statewide beginning late this coming weekend, which may not provide enough time for motorists traveling this weekend to remove their studded tires by April 1st.

ODOT is extending the studded tire season through Saturday, April 5th. The Washington State Department of Transportation has made the same decision.

Weather Conditions Temporarily Close Wilson River Highway

Motorists are advised to use alternate routes and drive with caution if traveling through higher elevations.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Oregon Highway 6, the Wilson River Highway, is closed to all traffic until further notice at the summit near mile post 34, after multiple crashes due to winter conditions. Traffic to and from the coast should use U.S. 26, the Sunset Highway.

The Wilson River Highway is closed from mile posts 22 – 34.5, about halfway between Portland and Tillamook, until crews can clear the snow and ice from the road surface. Icy conditions have caused multiple vehicle accidents approaching the coast range summit.

Nation Battles Deadly Weather Systems (VIDEO)

Winter storm watches and warnings that have been issued, and the death toll from the storms and flooding has risen to at least 14.

(NATION ) - A clipper system today will spread heavy snow across the Upper Midwest. Spring has arrived, but winter still dominates the weather across the northern tier of the nation.

The hardest hit area, where up to a foot could fall, will stretch from southeastern Minnesota through southern Wisconsin, north of Chicago and into northern Indiana and Ohio.

UN Reports that the World`s Glaciers are Melting at a Record Rate

The WGMS research found that some of the most dramatic glacier shrinking has occurred in Europe with Norway's Breidalblikkbrea glacier.

(GENEVA) - With global glaciers – a vital water source for millions, or even billions, of people worldwide – melting at a record rate, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) urged countries to agree on a new emissions reduction pact.

According to the UNEP-backed World Glacier Monitoring Service (WGMS), data from nearly 30 reference glaciers in nine mountain ranges indicate that between the years 2004-2005 and 2005-2006, the average rate of melting and thinning more than doubled.

Truck Driver Cited After Crash Closes Highway 58 for Six Hours

The truck and trailer jack-knifed, overturned and slid down the highway until it came to a stop blocking all lanes.

(CRESCENT LAKE, Ore.) - Oregon State Police troopers say they cited a commercial truck driver following a non-injury crash that closed Highway 58 for six hours near Crescent Lake Sunday night.

According to OSP Senior Trooper Joe Smith, the crash happened when a commercial truck pulling a semi-trailer loaded with cases of motor oil was being driven by 34-year old Salvador Rivera of Escondido, California, was westbound on Highway 58 near milepost 61 at approximately 8:00 PM.

Several Injured in Crash Near Chemult, Oregon

People in a passenger car were injured as well as the driver of one semi.

(CHEMULT, Ore.) - Six people received non-life threatening injuries Saturday morning in a multiple vehicle crash on an icy stretch of Highway 97 about 13 miles south of Chemult, Oregon State Police said.

All involved people were using safety restraints. Senior Trooper Smith credits safety restraints use with preventing more serious injuries to the occupants in the Chrysler. Highway 97 was closed about three hours at the scene of the crash.

Salem`s Railroad Bridge Will Become Pedestrian and Bike Friendly

The project has a few problems, but Salem officials say it will be a positive change.

(SALEM, Ore.) - A celebration to commemorate the beginning of the Union Street Railroad Bridge renovation is set for Thursday, March 6th at 4:00 PM. The bridge will be converted from a railroad bridge into a pedestrian and bicycle connection between Riverfront and Wallace Marine Parks.

This project will convert the historic Union Street Railroad Bridge and its associated timber trestle, built across the Willamette River in 1912-13, into a facility for pedestrians, bicyclists, and other non-motorized users.

Two Injured in Crash on Highway 22 in Santiam Pass Saturday

Both drivers were using safety restraints and both vehicles' airbags deployed.

(SANTIAM PASS, Ore.) - Oregon State Police troopers are continuing an investigation into a two vehicle serious injury traffic crash Saturday morning on Highway 22 on Santiam Pass.

OSP Senior Trooper Gary Martin says that around 11:00 AM, a sport utility vehicle was eastbound on Highway 22 near milepost 81 when it lost control on the icy roadway and collided head-on with a westbound passenger car.

Oregon Communities Still Recovering from December Storms

The state economic development agency acquires several federal waivers, making it easier for Oregonians in need to access federal dollars for disaster recovery.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - The Oregon Economic and Community Development Department is coordinating with the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development to bypass certain regulations to speed aid to people who suffered damage from the December storms in northwest Oregon, OECDD director Bob Repine said today.

"We are continuing to help Oregonians affected by the storm," Repine said. "We are looking at every state and federal resource we have, and then taking steps to speed those funds to the people who need them."