BEND, Ore. – Central Oregon’s extended cold snap showed no signs of letting up Thursday, with the region experiencing another round of snow and freezing temperatures that brought travel disruptions, school closures, and cancellations. A fresh wave of snow blanketed much of the area early in the morning, leading to several accidents, slide-offs, and hazardous driving conditions.
The National Weather Service (NWS) extended its winter weather advisory for the region until 10 a.m. Friday, forecasting an additional 1-2 inches of snow. Meanwhile, higher-elevation areas of the east slopes of the Cascades, including La Pine and Sisters, are under a separate winter weather advisory until 4 p.m. Friday, with up to 8 inches of snow expected in some areas, alongside gusty winds reaching up to 35 mph.
Despite the snow tapering off in some locations, forecasters warned that more precipitation was likely late Thursday. This additional snowfall, combined with already hazardous conditions, prompted several closures in the region. Jefferson County School District 509-J canceled all after-school activities Thursday, citing unsafe weather conditions. In addition, the Crook and Jefferson County Circuit Court closed early at 2 p.m. due to inclement weather.
The Sisters public meeting regarding an amendment to the Northwest Forest Plan, originally scheduled for Thursday evening, was also called off, with the Forest Service announcing that a new date would be set for the future.
Local reports indicated that while the number of crashes was relatively low, there were numerous reports of vehicles sliding off the road or getting stuck. Deschutes County dispatchers noted that a Les Schwab double-trailer semi-truck had its brakes freeze while attempting a turn from Highway 97 onto Highway 126 toward Prineville, causing a significant traffic blockage for a time. Medics were also dispatched to assist individuals who had slipped and fallen on icy surfaces.
For those hoping for a respite from the extreme cold, it wasn’t much of a reprieve Thursday morning, as temperatures remained well below freezing across Central Oregon. In fact, the region saw a series of record-breaking low temperatures on Wednesday, adding to the harsh winter conditions. Redmond plunged to -5 degrees, breaking its previous February 12 record of 7 degrees, set in 2018. Similarly, Sisters hit -8 degrees, surpassing a record from 1959, while Madras recorded a low of 5 degrees and Sunriver reached -11.
Several weather spotters across the region reported sub-zero temperatures early Wednesday morning, with one near Prineville recording a chilling -15 degrees, and another station east-northeast of Bend dipping to -21 degrees. The most extreme temperatures, however, were recorded near the Ochoco Reservoir, where the thermometer hit a staggering -32 degrees.
As the region braces for more snow and cold temperatures through Friday, local authorities continue to monitor road conditions closely, urging residents to remain cautious and prepared for more winter weather disruptions.
