A winter storm will hit the Columbia Gorge this weekend (January 11-13_. The storm is expected to arrive around 6 to 9 pm Thursday evening and intensify after midnight. Friday is expected to be the worst day of the storm. Anticipate dangerous conditions throughout the Gorge, especially the west end. 30 to 45 inches of snowfall are forecast for the Cascade Locks/Bonneville area from Friday through Saturday. Heavy winds will precede the storm Thursday and Friday, with sustained winds around 15-30 MPH and wind gusts up to 40-50 MPH. Temperatures will remain well below freezing (teens through mid-20s) through Tuesday, then slowly thaw. Roads will stay icy at least through Tuesday.
There is currently a setline fishery in effect. Please take all necessary actions to secure gear before tomorrow afternoon while it is still safe to use a boat on the Columbia. Also prepare supplies, food, and water in case travel becomes difficult or impossible. There is a possibility of Gorge residents being trapped in place for two to three days, so better to be safe.
Fishers at the fishing access sites who need more information on services to help them prepare can contact Columbia River Inter-Tribal Police dispatch at (541) 386-6363.