5:20 p.m. from Portland: The snow caught Portland's bureau of transportation by surprise. Bureau spokeswoman Cheryl Kuck said city workers this evening were putting down a light sand coat on trouble spots in West Portland, West Burnside and on Sam Jackson Park Road leading to Oregon Health & Science University. No plows will be used on those streets until there's at least an inch of snow on the ground. The bureau will monitor hilly spots, overpasses and bridges throughout the night. Drivers on side streets, she warned, are on their own.... "Pay attention to road conditions, drive safely, and share the road with pedestrians and bicyclists who are also making their way in hazardous conditions," said Portland Mayor Sam Adams in a prepared statement.
One of the things I love about living in Portland is the way this area reacts to snow. Yesterday, we got 3"-7" of snow (depending on where you were)...and you'd have thought that people here have NO idea what to do when it snows. Well, you'd have been right. Since I've been home sick since Sunday, I got to enjoy the snowfall safely from the warmth and comfort of my recliner. Here in Tigard, it looks as if we got 3"-4"...just enough to make things pretty and freak people out. Thankfully, I don't have to go out today...until and unless I decide to see a doctor. The last thing I want to be do is dealing with drivers who don't know how to drive on snow and ice.
In the meantime, the view out my window resembles your basic winter wonderland. Where's my eggnog??