It didn't stick around long, but it sure was pretty. (Photos taken in North Portland near Rosa Parks Way and Interstate Ave.)

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The City of Portland has issued a winter travel advisory due to a cold front on its way late this weekend. The forecast calls for "snow showers" starting on Sunday. If it comes to pass, things could get interesting out on the roads.

If you've haven't already, now would be a good time to think about what you need to do and know in order to be ready to ride no matter what weather comes our way. (more...)

A scene on SE Madison in January 2009.
(Photos © J. Maus)

There's snow in the forecast! Weather pros think is very likely to begin tonight (just before the evening commute). With that in mind, I wanted to remind folks that using a bicycle when it's snowing or when snow is on the roads is a completely viable way to get around — just as viable as using transit or driving a car.

As we've documented in years past, plenty of Portlanders have no trouble riding on snowy roads. Here are some photos in case you think that everyone hangs their bikes up when the snow comes down... (more...)

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A few snow riders in
Southeast Portland last night.
(Photo: Adams Carroll)

It's the morning after an unexpected snow storm that blanketed the City last night.

In The Oregonian this morning, ODOT says the streets of Portland are "clear and passable" (that's not the case in my neighborhood!).

PBOT issued a weather advisory at 6:00 am this morning saying that even though the snow is melting, streets are still "slick and slushy." (more...)

CITY STREETS THAWING BUT STILL SLICK AND SLUSHY
Posted: December 30th, 2009 5:59 AM

(Portland, OR) - The Portland Bureau of Transportation is reporting that yesterday's surprise snowstorm still has city streets slick and under cover of slush. Major arterials are in good condition, but many neighborhood residential streets are still hazardous this morning. The public is advised to take it slow and easy while warmer temperatures gradually thaw streets and sidewalks.

WEATHER FORECAST
-Temperatures above freezing and rising will help thaw city streets and sidewalks.
-Rain showers will help clear streets of snow and slush.

CURRENT CONDITIONS - December 30 at 5:30 a.m.
-City streets mostly drivable
-Slick spots
-A lot of slush
-Neighborhood residential streets still under cover of some snow and slush

TRANSPORTATION OPERATIONS
-City crews worked through the night applying de-icing chemical on major arterials and known hazard areas.
-Crews worked the West Hills through the night, de-icing West Burnside, Sam Jackson Road, Council Crest, Skyline, and Cornell and plowing where needed.
-Crews responded to requests from TriMet to de-ice trouble spots on transit routes.
-Portland Streetcar continues to operate, although it is subject to delays as it moves along with slow vehicular traffic in these conditions.

SAFETY ADVISORIES
-Take public transit if possible.
-If you must drive, delay your trip until conditions improve.
-Drive slowly and cautiously.
-Leave extra distance between you and the vehicle in front of you.
-Share the road responsibly with pedestrians and bicyclists.
-Know before you go. Check www.PublicAlerts.org for breaking news and information on service alerts for city streets, highways, public transit, and utilities.
-Recover your abandoned vehicle as soon as possible. Any vehicle creating a safety hazard is subject to towing.
-Clear your sidewalk of snow and ice as soon as possible.

CITY OFFICES
-Mayor Sam Adams announced this morning that all City offices are open during their normal business hours.
-All City employees are expected to work their normal schedule. Any employee who cannot safely report to work in time must notify their supervisor. The absence will be excused, and missed time will be charged to accrued leave.

Ridin' along, peaceful and calm.
(Photos © J. Maus)

Excuse me while I gloat...

KGW-TV (Portland's NBC affiliate) traffic reporter Michael Convery said this afternoon's surprise snowstorm is the worst he's seen in his nearly 20-year career in the Portland region. In a report tonight, he shared tales of a 25 mile backup on I-5 south of Tigard, about 50 abandoned vehicles on Highway 26 between the Zoo and I-405, the Fremont Bridge as a "high-rise parking lot", and so on. (more...)

Traffic on I-5 through North Portland was not moving at around 4:30.
- Photo Gallery -
(Photos © J. Maus)

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As these tracks show, many
people still rode during
December's snow.
(Photo © J. Maus)

Earlier this month, the Mayor's office released a storm response survey. The 15-question survey (it's still online) asked citizens about their travel behavior during the storm and asked them to rate the city's response.

Every mode (transit, motor vehicles, pedestrians) was considered -- except bikes.

In a city that prides itself on leading the nation in bike-friendliness and aspires to be a world-class bike city, it seemed strange that bikes didn't even warrant a mention. Sure, many people decided to leave their bikes at home instead of battling the slush, snow and ice; but many also found their bike to be a perfectly viable way to get around (especially with studded tires).

Thankfully, the Mayor's office has acknowledged the oversight and now the city's Bicycle Advisory Committee has drafted a bike-specific storm response survey. (more...)

The River City Bicycles parking lot on January 27th. (Photo: Steve Durrant)

Reader Steve Durrant took this photo during Tuesday morning's snow flurry.