As winter tightens its grip on Oregon, a winter storm is set to impact multiple regions of the state, bringing snow, strong winds, and even freezing rain to different areas. The National Weather Service has provided detailed information on how this weather event will affect various parts of Oregon.

Starting with the Portland area, residents should prepare for cold and windy conditions. Arctic air moving into the region will cause temperatures to drop into the teens by Saturday morning, accompanied by subzero wind chills. Additionally, snowfall predictions indicate around 1-3 inches of snow in Portland proper.

Moving towards the Columbia River Gorge, locals can expect strong winds and blizzard conditions. The Oregon Department of Transportation advises travelers to reconsider their plans due to potential road closures on Interstate 84 caused by crashes during extreme weather situations. The gorge has a 30-40% chance of receiving 6-8 inches of snow, along with wind gusts that could reach 50-60 mph and even 80 mph at Crown Point and Corbett. Areas near the mouth of the gorge, including Troutdale, Wood Village, Fairview, Gresham, Camas, and Washougal, may experience near blizzard conditions. High winds are likely to persist through Sunday.

Moving to the central and southern Willamette Valley, there is an increasing probability of freezing rain late Friday and into Saturday. Areas south of around Salem have a 15-25% chance of experiencing at least a tenth of an inch of freezing rain. Temperatures will hover around freezing on Friday night and dip into the 20s by Saturday.

Heading to the Oregon Coast, visitors should prepare for much colder weather than usual. A rain and snow mix is anticipated from the central to northern cities along the coast, with a wintry mix, including freezing rain, from Florence northward to Astoria. High temperatures are expected to remain in the low-to-mid 20s, with the pass roads over the Coast Range frequently covered in snow.

In Southern Oregon, different weather patterns will be seen. Areas such as Medford and Ashland are likely to see mostly rain, with occasional mixtures of freezing rain and snow. However, the southern Cascades, Klamath Falls, and higher foothills can expect more snowfall and strong wind gusts around 50 mph. The Siskiyou Summit leading into California may accumulate 2-5 inches of new snow.

Central Oregon, particularly the Bend/Redmond area, has already experienced snowfall for several days. After a brief respite on Thursday, more snow is expected on Friday and Saturday, adding to the already impressive accumulation of 14+ inches in Sunriver, Sisters, and La Pine. Forecasters are warning of heavy snow, with the potential for 10-20 inches of new snowfall. Strong winds, reaching gusts of up to 45 mph, are also expected. Saturday's daytime high temperatures may only reach single digits.

For the Cascade mountains, winter storm warnings remain in effect. Heavy blowing snow is expected to resume on Friday and continue throughout the weekend after a brief lull on Thursday. These conditions have made travel hazardous, and the Cascade passes could accumulate up to 5 feet of snow from Friday through Sunday. Travelers are strongly advised to equip their vehicles with traction devices, ensure full fuel tanks, pack emergency kits, and carry extra water, clothing, and food supplies. Frequent updates on conditions, warnings, and traction requirements can be found on TripCheck.com.

Eastern Oregon, including Harney, Umatilla, Malheur, and other counties, is under a range of weather advisories, including winter storm, wind chill, and avalanche warnings. Heavy snowfall is expected, with accumulations of 7-14 inches predicted across the region. High temperatures will hover in the single digits in some areas, and the combination of cold temperatures and strong winds will result in hazardous wind chill conditions. Travel along Interstate 84 from Pendleton to Idaho may become impossible, a notorious trouble spot during severe weather events.

The silver lining is that precipitation in all its forms is likely to come to an end by Sunday. However, the cold temperatures are here to stay, lasting at least until Tuesday of next week. Oregonians are encouraged to stay updated with weather forecasts and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety during this winter storm.