Temperatures across the Portland area are expected to be well below freezing for much of this week, and county officials are preparing to open severe weather shelters.
Washington County announced it would open the Salvation Army Building in Hillsboro and the Beaverton Community Center at 7 p.m. Monday night to anyone who is unhoused and needs a warm place to sleep this week. The shelters will remain open 24 hours a day throughout the severe weather, and warm meals will be provided. Pets are welcome.
Multnomah County stated online that it is likely to open its severe weather shelters beginning at 8 p.m. Tuesday. The county said its severe weather thresholds for opening the shelters will not be met until then.
According to Multnomah County’s guidelines, it will open severe weather shelters if any of the following conditions are met: Temperatures are forecast at 25 degrees or below; forecasters predict an inch or more of snow; overnight temperatures drop below 32 degrees, with an inch of driving rain; or other conditions occur, including severe wind chills or extreme temperature fluctuations.
The National Weather Service forecasts Monday’s overnight temperature in Portland will reach 26 degrees with a 30% chance of rain or snow. Though snow levels are expected to drop to 200 feet, the weather service does not predict any snow will stick around Monday night.
Local shelter information is available anytime by calling 211 or visiting 211info online.