The Pacific Northwest has been hit with unexpected amounts of snow and ice this winter – causing traffic jams and accidents in Portland, Oregon, with many drivers just abandoning their cars on the side of the road, and most recently causing the Washington State governor to declare a state of emergency in the central part of the state – allowing school districts to close without the worry of having to make up so many days during the summer. Although severe winter weather is not unprecedented in this region, the large quantity of repeat events in so short a time is deeply unusual for the area, especially the low-lying temperate parts on the west side of the Cascades.
(Dec 8, Portland, OR – taken from oregonlive.com)
(Vancouver, Washington – just across the Columbia River from Portland – did not experience as many accidents despite getting the same storm, which residents attribute to state policy requiring snow tires during winter and not prohibiting the use of road salt.)