Flash Alert from ODOT: More wrecks due to freezing rain

ODOT/Willamette Valley: Crashes have restricted travel at several locations in Lane County as a mix of rain and freezing rain continues to fall.

Currently, there is a crash at I-5 northbound at mile post 174 near Cottage Grove.
Hwy 99S at River Road near Cottage Grove is closed due to a crash.

Hwy 99 at Airport Road north of Eugene is restricted to one lane of travel due to a crash.

Freezing rain continues to fall in various areas while some areas are now receiving rain. Forecasts call for freezing rain through the night. If you have to travel, be prepared for extreme winter road conditions.

For more information, contact:
Rick Little, ODOT PIO, 541-505-2069
TripCheck.com, 5-1-1, 800-977-6368

Interesting weather article from Portland Tribune

http://www.theoutlookonline.com/news/story.php?story_id=126055663333184700

First bone-chilling cold, now snow and ice?
Willamette Valley weather could turn nasty Friday night and Saturday
By Jim Redden

The Portland Tribune, Dec 11, 2009, Updated 1.9 hours ago
Tribune File Photo / L.E. Baskow

Remember this? In late December 2008, a couple made their way along a snow-lined street in Eastmoreland. The Portland area could be in line for another winter blast this weekend — probably not as bad as last year.
With snow and freezing rain predicted during the weekend, city officials are warning Portlanders to watch out for unexpected dangers - for entire article, click link above

Updated weather

This afternoon/evening, Dec 11, Friday, it will , begin with snow and transition to freezing rain and rain by late Saturday and Sunday as it moves north. The main impacted areas are the Willamette Valley areas and the Gorge. The coast from south to north from today thru Sunday will experience freezing rain to snow. Coast range could get up to 8 inches on the east slopes. Storm should start to hit the Central Willamette Valley around 10 pm today, transition from snow to freezing rain and to rain by Sunday. The gorge could get 3-10 inches for snow with a transition to freezing rain by Saturday afternoon. Next week should have higher temperatures and rain. There is still some uncertainty with the amounts and types of precipitation.