Salem-News.com Weather articles

OREGON: Avoid Breathing Problems as Air Quality Deteriorates

Take heat and air quality into consideration when planning weekend outdoor activities

(SALEM, Ore.) - Marion County public health officials urge county residents to take precautions as temperatures and air quality reach unhealthy levels.

Poor air quality from wildfire smoke can lead to stinging eyes and scratchy throat in anyone, and it makes sense for all residents in smoky communities to avoid smoke exposure, where possible

Urgent Weather Message for Western Oregon and Coastal Waters

Batten down the hatches! A late spring storm is kicking up.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - An unusually strong frontal system for mid-June will move through northwest Oregon and southwest Washington on Thursday, producing strong winds across the area.

High winds along the coast are expected to gust between 40 and 50 mph, with the strongest gusts along the beaches and headlands. Over the higher terrain of the coastal mountains and the Cascades, winds could gust up to around 45 mph. This system will bring south gales from the south coast northward, and hazardous seas bringing small craft advisory level seas over most of the area. The hazardous conditions will persist into Friday morning.

Pulling Out of the Paris Climate Accord:
The Great Prevaricator Strikes Again

22 Republicans who have received millions of dollars from the oil, gas and coal industries urged the President to withdraw from the agreement.

(SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.) - In pulling out of the Paris Climate Accord, Trump presented some false numbers – notably that the Accord would result in the loss of 2.7 million U.S. jobs by 2025.

This is inaccurate because Trump does not take into account normal job rate loss and creation, jobs shifting towards more "green" sectors, and the tangible benefits of cleaner air, water, and less risk of natural disasters along U.S. coastlines.

Countdown to Eclipse 2017: Get Ready!

ODOT’s advice: Arrive early / Stay put / Leave late

(SALEM, Ore.) - Oregon will be the first state where you can view the total solar eclipse crossing America Monday, August 21.

For about two and half hours, daytime will gradually yield to dusk—and to darkness for about two minutes—as the moon passes in front of the sun.

Anti-Science Trumps Climate Change

A physicist named William Happer is the leading candidate for science adviser to the president. He considers climate scientists “like a cult", and has likened climate science to Nazism and ISIS.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - True to form, President Trump has pulled the US out of the Paris accord on climate change, joining Syria and Nicaragua as the only non-participating states.

He got an earful from the Europeans at the just-concluded G-7 meeting in Italy, but the US stood aside as the other six countries committed to fully carrying out the Paris agreement.

Snow Levels Drop and Flood Warnings Continue for NW Oregon

A late winter storm will bring more rain and maybe even some snow.

(SALEM, Ore.) - While the threat of snow is eminent, an active Flood Watch continues for two rivers, the Pudding River at Aurora and the Tualatin River at Farmington.

A cool and unstable air mass will linger over the region for the next several days. Low elevation temperatures will hover in the
lower to middle 30s each night. Most accumulating snow will remain around 1,000 feet or higher. However, some showers may
bring visible snow down to sea level for most of the next several days.

Driver Stood Atop Car Awaiting Rescue from Flooded Roadway

"Turn Around, Don't Drown"

(FOREST GROVE, Ore.) - ...By the time the boat was launched into the flooded waters, the vehicle had gone completely under water in a ditch that's estimated to be around 10 feet deep.

When the rescue boat made it to the vehicles location, the driver was standing on top of the vehicle.

Oregon Rains May Cause Downed Trees and Landslides

With heavy rain returning, be alert for landslides across western Oregon

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - With flood watches now in effect for most of western Oregon, be alert for landslides.

"As we've seen in the past few days, heavy rain can trigger landslides," says Ali Ryan Hansen, communications director for the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI).

President Declares Disaster for Dec. 14-17 Storms in Oregon

Damages from the winter storms from the past few weeks are also being assessed to see if more federal assistance is warranted.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Governor Kate Brown's request for a Presidential Disaster Declaration is officially approved for the severe winter storm and flooding that occurred from Dec. 14-17.

Federal funding is available to state, tribal, and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by a severe storm and flooding in Josephine and Lane counties.

Severe Weather Continues Across Oregon

Freezing rain, ice, high winds and blowing snow create blizzard-like conditions in the Columbia River Gorge

(SALEM, Ore.) - Interstate 84 is closed between Troutdale and Hood River due to ice; the highway is also closed between Pendleton to Ontario as blowing snow creates blizzard-like conditions. OEM and the Oregon Department of Transportation urges motorists to stay off the roads.

As severe weather continues to rage across the state, Oregon's Office of Emergency Management activated the state Emergency Coordination Center (ECC).