8:02 PM Sun, Dec 14, 2008 | Permalink
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Don't need to tell you it's cold and snowy, but if you do venture out...remember; It's the Stopping...not the Going. So give yourself plenty of room, be patient with the other motorists (insert "those that are driving slower than you").
The overpasses, on-ramps and bridges are the worst, but that's no surprise. Just keep it in mind and keep your speed constant. Studs or chains are a must.
And here's an interesting traffic tip: While you are watching all the other cars around you and gauging you speed for stop lights...Watch out for idiot pedestrians who run out into traffic. It happened to me tonight. Some guy was running from somebody else, probably a snowball fight, and he looping escape route took him into my lane.
Here's something else to put in the back of your brain...lot's of schools are closed Monday, that means kids playing on the snow and ice. 'Nuf said.
Enjoy the frosty conditions as best you can and be prepared for a week of it.
Ron Pedersen
Alcohol and ice do not mix!
At about 10:45 to 11:00 12/14/08 I was walking my dog Otis over at William H. Terpenning Tualatin Hills park & recreation which is right at the end of my driveway. And it appeared to be lightning and some thunder so, didn't want to take any chances and instantly came back home. It was obviously very overcast and lightly snowing at the time so, it was lighting up the whole sky around me. Can you be struck by lightning the same during snow as oposed to more clear or rain as you usually see?
Heyyyy alll!!! Outside in vancouver it is soooo cold and there is Black Ice everywhere so if you are going to be out and about at anytime tomorrow or today...take it easy on the turns.The snow is very podery and the wind is STRONG!! But anyways just stay safe and dont forget to have snowball fights and fun!!
Would love to hear about what is going on in St. Johns, elevation and such. I'll be moving there soon and would like to see a mention about it
hey im soo cold from outside! BRRRRR.......... so how are you news cast
This city needs to be ready when it says snow and ice. I lived in New Jersey for 2 years and you talk about snow-not inches-feet, and the roads were always clear. This town shuts down because they dont keep the roads clear and they need to use salt, so we can get to the store.... And slow down when you are driving. Thank you
A tip was given to me a few years ago. If you take an old pair of socks and put them over your shoes it increases your traction on ice or packed snow.
Just wanted to stop in and say that I appreciate the weather blog. I am fine with the fact that weather is impossible to predict 100%, and the blog seems like a nice window into the reasoning behind the forecasts.
p.s. could you please make it snow more? thanks!
Dear KGW,
Your coverage of the weather is thorough, informative, and appreciated in the weather segments of your news program. Your weather team is with it, and does a terrific job with this ever-changing location we live in.
However, the amount of coverage you are giving to this snow is turning me away from your news station. The world does not stop because the Portland metro gets mere inches of snow. There HAS to be more going on to report about other than constantly telling your viewers a) it is still cold; b) it is going to rain/snow more; c)traffic is going to be affected; d)this is not the normal weather for the area.
Please stop showing your reporters kicking at chunks of ice that have now been on the road for three days. Please stop sending them up on to the hills and having them pretend to be in awe and excited about the new flakes collecting on the grass. I ask this not only for relief of the redundancy, but to point out that you are making yourselves look simple-minded and downright foolish. Additionally, keeping your news crews off the road for unnecessary news "updates" will only help to alleviate traffic issues.
People will never live up to expectations of being responsible and capable of handling unexpected weather situations if you continually baby them with a silly number of weather updates per hour. You are doing nothing but giving people cause to worry unnecessarily. Warning them to carry food and water, blankets, and of all things, to have gas in their car? Isn't that a given?
If Portland would focus more on having EFFECTIVE methods of snow removal and preparation, there would not be reason for people to fear this weather, nor would there be need for careless accidents, or news reports that insult the intelligence of your viewers by assuming they comprehend no more than a small child. If cities like Minneapolis, New York, or Chicago can get on with life having 20 times more snow than Portland, then there is absolutely no excuse for the lack of action on behalf of the city. If other people can get through it, so can we!
Personally, I don't believe your viewers are so helpless and flabbergasted as you seem to believe them to be, that they need to be told the same things over and over again throughout the entire day. The repetition and redundancy are ridiculous, and forcing me to look elsewhere for my news updates.
I wish that everyone would quit with all the weather hype. All of Oregon laughs at Portland, we get a light dusting of snow and act like a national disaster should be proclaimed. The televison floods with coverage of a few flakes. GIVE IT A REST......put on your long johns and quiet down.
You have successfully held hostage an entire city with your bogus weather reports. I certainly understand that ratings are important, but not at the expense of Portland area businesses and schools. I've lived in Portland for 34 years and this region can NEVER seem to manage sub-freezing temperatures and precipitation simultaneously.
Why would that change now?
Your "Winter Blast" coverage for 2 days is bordering on rediculous!!!! How about keeping to the regular NBC schedule and referring people to your "other" channel (22 or whatever) for those who seem to need a minute by minute update about how many snow flakes are falling. We're getting very frustrated with KGW.com!!
As far as New Jersey and other places that actually get lots of snow regularly, they do get a LOT more and so are better able to prepare. They get a much larger budget than we do out here to deal with it. They have fleets of snow plows. How many does the City of Portland have? Another thing- I have heard from people that lived on the East Coast especially upper, that they don't have speed bumps so they can actually plow. Can't plow with speed bumps I guess.
well you haven't covered much out in Hillsboro forest grove area it has not stopped snowing since 8AM here Hwy 26 west of 185th is a mess and so are all the roads in this area. why do you keep people on sylvan hill when there is nothing going on there, seems like you would move your people around to the bad areas.
We are just as bad as woodland Wa. Temp just got to 32 degrees
just my 2 cents
Ok, Sunday's correct prediction was rare for Dave Salesky. I was looking forward to watching the TODAY show Monday and I got 4 hours of ARCTIC BLAST 2008. Road information is important but not 4 hours worthy. My parents were flying into Portland and not once was there a mention of airport conditions and flight information. Couldn't you just do extended reports on the 1/2 hour and briefly, but efficiently, explain conditions. Once again, today I missed my routine of the TODAY show, for what!!!!
You advised people to stay home because of the extreme incoming weather!!! We own a small retail business and heavily count on December for great sales. We have been extremely slow since Sunday because of your panic evoking coverage. In the past today would have been a stellar day. Groups who had booked holiday gatherings at our business cancelled. For what?!?!?!??!?!?!?!?!?
We've lived in Chicago and Colorado and after coming back home to Portland, we can't believe this city is in such a fuss about a little winter weather. The way the newscast is, you'd think we were being invaded by aliens!
I can't believe that once again the news over reacts to weather. I've lived here almost 15 years and whenever a 'little' snow falls, they act as if the sky is falling. Enough with the chicken little already.
There has been great coverage and your forecast has been right on....dont let the naysayers get you all down.
We are ill equipped here in the Portland/Metro area compared to other States who get this sort of weather in their areas and are budgeted for it. It is scary for some also, if you dont like all the extra coverage then shut your tv off and go play in the snow. Doesnt hurt the brain to get off the television anyhow.
Great Job Newschannel 8's Meteorologists (and everyone else for that matter) you've all been putting in long hours to keep us informed and there are many of us out here that appreciate it.
Hi,
I live in the foothills near Silverton at about 2000 feet in elevation. We've had snow all week and had 2 feet yesterday morning.
We spent the day digging out to prepare for the next storm. We lost power twice for about 3 hours each time.
Last night it warmed up to 35-37 and rained all night long. The snow is a slushy mess now.
We're obviously in the warm air pocket. We're used to having worse weather than Portland so it's strange to see the reverse.