Ice Storm Warning 2025: Oregon Faces “Glazed Apocalypse” as Freezing Rain Looms
The National Weather Service has issued a dire ice storm warning for Oregon’s Willamette Valley, including Eugene, Salem, and Portland, as a deadly cocktail of freezing rain and Arctic air threatens to turn roads into ice rinks and knock out power for thousands. With up to 0.3 inches of ice expected by Friday—enough to snap tree limbs and paralyze cities—officials are urging residents to “stay home or risk your life” .
“This isn’t just slippery sidewalks—this is a life-threatening event,” warned Hannah Chandler-Cooley, lead meteorologist at the NWS Portland office. “If you venture out unprepared, you’re gambling with your safety” .
Where the Ice Storm Will Hit Hardest: Eugene to Portland
The ice storm warning spans from Cottage Grove to Oregon City, with the heaviest impact expected in Salem, Albany, and Corvallis. Here’s the breakdown:
Key Zones & Ice Forecasts
- Eugene to Albany: 0.25–0.3 inches of ice + 1 inch of snow.
- Salem/Portland Metro: 0.1–0.2 inches of ice, starting as snow Thursday AM.
- Coast Range/Cascades Foothills: Mixed sleet and freezing rain, gusty winds up to 45 mph.
⚠️ Critical Timing: Freezing rain begins overnight Wednesday, peaking during Thursday’s commute. Roads will glaze over by 9 AM, turning evening drives into “extreme hazards” .
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“Stay Home or Get Stranded”: Travel Bans & School Closures
Officials are begging drivers to avoid roads—but here’s what’s already shutting down:
Major Disruptions
- Schools: Corvallis, Albany, and Philomath districts delayed by 2+ hours; Linn-Benton Community College closed Thursday.
- Roads: ODOT crews are pre-treating highways with de-icer, but bridges/overpasses will freeze first.
- Power Grids: Eugene Water & Electric Board (EWEB) activated emergency crews, fearing repeat outages like 2024’s 38,000-customer blackout .
📉 Travel Tip: Check TripCheck.com for real-time road closures. If you must drive, pack blankets, food, and a shovel—abandoned cars will be towed .
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Survival Guide: How to Outlast the Icepocalypse
Don’t let the freeze catch you off guard. Here’s your battle plan:
Emergency Must-Haves
- Home Kit: Flashlights, batteries, non-perishable food, meds, and water (3+ days’ supply).
- Car Kit: Tire chains, jumper cables, ice scraper, warm clothes, phone charger.
- Generator Safety: Keep it outdoors to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
🔥 Warming Centers:
- Corvallis: Public Library (open 9 AM–7 PM).
- Albany: Second Chance Shelter (8 AM–4 PM).
- Full list: Benton County | Linn County.
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Why This Storm Isn’t 2024 Redux—But Still Dangerous
While this freeze won’t match 2024’s catastrophic 2-inch ice buildup (which killed 15 and caused $3M in damage), even 0.3 inches can be deadly:
- Trees & Power Lines: Ice adds 500+ lbs of weight—enough to snap limbs and crush cars .
- Hypothermia Risk: Wind chills will plunge to 10°F; frostbite hits in 30 minutes .
“Last year was a wake-up call,” said EWEB spokesperson. “We’ve trained with FEMA, but nothing makes ice storms easy” .
Portland Weather Whiplash: From Dry Mornings to Icy Nights
Portlanders, don’t be fooled by Thursday’s deceptively dry dawn. The storm’s timeline:
- 9–10 AM: Snow starts in Portland/Vancouver.
- Afternoon: Shifts to freezing rain, glazing roads by rush hour .
- Friday AM: More ice before temps rise to 40°F, thawing the mess—just as weekend storm #2 looms .
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