10/13/09

By Rachel Azevedo

A thick layer of ice, covering nearly everything, was the greeting many received upon walking outside Tuesday morning. These pictures were sent in by KOHD's weather spotters. They show a field of ice in Southeast Bend, an ice covered barbeque, and icicles on the Westside. But it was a different story in Sisters, where snow fell instead of rain.

"This is really early. We normally don't get this, this early, but our weather's been kind of bipolar this year. It'll be really hot, then a week later it's freezing cold," said Sister's resident Steve Allely.

This fuel truck driver went over Santiam Pass to get to Sisters from Portland.

"Right before you get going up the big hill is where everyone was pulling over to chain up," said Jim Lewis.

The weather put him a couple hours behind on his delivery and is forcing him to take a different route home.

"I'm going to go over Mt. Hood. They should have it melted and cleared by then," said Lewis.

Oregon Department of Transportation says cinder was laid early in the morning on stretches of the highway that tend to be problems areas, like near Lava Butte, south of Bend. The City of Bend had a similar approach, hitting areas of higher elevation, like Mt. Washington on Awbrey Butte, with basalt.

Nelson Tire Factory in Bend says business has been picking up ever since the last storm on October 4th. People have been changing out their regular tires for all season tires. Studs can only be used beginning November 1st. ODOT says there's been no talk of moving that date up to accomodate the early onset of winter conditions. Drivers in Central Oregon are exercising caution no matter what.

"When you have snow and ice on the roads you've got to drive a little slower and, kind of, not jerk the wheel when you turn," said Fadi Bedaywy.