(Update) PORTLAND, OR — Portland Public Schools cancelled classes for Thursday and may do so again Friday due to the heavy snow of the last 24 hours. Interim chief operating officer Courtney Wilton told The Oregonian/OregonLive many parents are frustrated by the number of snow days. With Thursday's cancellation, seven snow days have been called this year.
The Oregon Department of Transportation has announced that chains are now required on all vehicles on state roads in the Portland area, traction devices aren't enough. Interstate 5 north of the Highway 217 interchange is jammed with semis and cars spinning out and blocking the freeway. Currently, Interstate 205 is a better alternative to Portland or into Washington State.