Ice, wind close I-84 in the Columbia Gorge, make many other Oregon roads dangerous

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Oregon-Northwest

By KTVZ news sources
Published December 22, 2022 9:5 PM

Ice, wind close I-84 in the Columbia Gorge, make many other Oregon roads dangerous

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Interstate 84 is closed in both directions in the Columbia River Gorge from Troutdale to Hood River due to hazardous conditions caused by winter weather, ODOT said Thursday night. ..Ice and high winds have created unsafe driving conditions throughout the Gorge, and the interstate will remain closed from exits 17 to 64 until conditions improve.

The Historic Columbia River Highway east of Corbett is also closed, with no access to Vista House at Crown Point. Forecasters are predicting dangerously high winds at Crown Point.

U.S. Highway 26 over Mount Hood and many other roads over the Cascades are not safe alternate routes between Eastern and Western Oregon during this wide-ranging storm. Many roads are icy, snowy, experiencing high winds and may see downed trees or power lines in the days to come. Travelers are advised to use TripCheck.com and plan ahead.

Staying off the roads altogether is the safest choice until warm temperatures help clear the roads. Ice is extremely hazardous and few tools in ODOT’s winter toolbox can successfully defeat it.

[CentralMass]

1. I live in Sherwood.. It has been in the low 20's since early Thursday morning.

This is definitely the coldest weather I've seen in the 7 or 8 years I have been out here. Reported some freezing rain that we had in the over night has stopped and we will probable see some periods of additional freezing rain through the day.
Ot is supposed to tgaw out starting mid day on Saturdsy

I have New England roots.so the winter weather here is mild in comparison. Hiwever the don't have the infrastructure or experience to treat the roads do driving can be treacherous. I shopped the other day and am staying put.

The weather in tje Gorge can be severe. I just had the news on and they were reporting 70mpg wind gusts.. I have driven out there and experienced strong winds even in the non winter months. Rte 84 parallels the Columbia River (it is beautiful drive) and you can get strong cross winds on the higheay that make you have to keep both hands on the wheel. Wind surfing on the Columbia River in that area us very popular in the summer. I'm tempted to try it but I'm getting a little long in the tooth.
I drove out the go hiking Mutinomah Falls one Sunday and hit the steady criss winds on 84 and got on the Scenic Columbis River highway in Corbett and stopped at tje Vista House. The winds were so strong st that attitude that you had to hold onto your car doors when opening them or I swear tge wind would rip them off. Too windy to hike safely or stick around for fear of getting hitting by falling debtis.

https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=108