The National Weather Service has issued a First Alert Weather Day for the Portland metro area and the Gorge, as freezing rain is expected to arrive later today. The morning temperatures in the metro are currently ranging from the teens to low 20s, accompanied by clear skies. However, gusty winds can still be felt on the east side of the metro.

Residents of Eugene and Salem can expect the freezing rain to begin in the late morning to early afternoon, while the metro area will experience it in the mid to late afternoon. The freezing rain is predicted to continue steadily until approximately 7 or 8 p.m., with the possibility of intermittent episodes throughout the night and into Wednesday morning.

Fortunately, there is hope for relief as milder air is projected to surge into the metro from the south tomorrow morning, bringing temperatures into the mid-40s. Thawing will commence in the south and west sides of Portland, although the east side and Gorge region may remain frozen for a longer duration.

Thursday's forecast predicts above-freezing temperatures of around 40 degrees for Portland, accompanied by rainy conditions. Friday is expected to be mostly dry with a high of 43 degrees. Moving into the weekend and Monday, rain showers are anticipated with temperatures ranging from the mid-40s to 50 degrees, while overnight lows settle in the upper 30s to low 40s.

The Gorge region is expected to face the brunt of the ice storm, as its colder temperatures are likely to persist longer than other areas. Snowfall or a mixture of freezing rain and snow is anticipated, with temperatures not expected to rise above freezing until Wednesday afternoon. A slow thaw is predicted to occur throughout the remainder of the week in the Gorge.

In light of the impending hazardous conditions, authorities are urging residents to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary travel. Specifically, travel south of Portland on I-5 is discouraged from later this morning until late Wednesday morning or afternoon. Likewise, travel into the Gorge region should be avoided starting tonight and through late Thursday morning.

Stay tuned for further updates from local authorities regarding road conditions and safety measures to navigate this period of inclement weather.