EUGENE, Ore. – Commuters in western Oregon should brace for slick roads and thunderstorm potential Tuesday night into Wednesday, especially near Eugene and along Interstate 5. Drivers are urged to allow extra time and avoid flooded areas as heavy downpours could reduce visibility and create hazards through midweek.
According to the National Weather Service in Portland, a strong system is bringing periods of showers overnight Tuesday with a 50 percent chance of rainfall before 11 p.m. That risk increases to 80 percent Wednesday morning, with scattered thunderstorms possible by early afternoon. Storms could drop between a tenth and quarter of an inch of rain, and localized spots may see higher totals during heavier bursts.
Eugene’s Wednesday high will reach about 74 degrees, but unsettled skies may keep travel conditions inconsistent. Winds will shift northwest around 5 mph, keeping temperatures mild but leaving drivers contending with wet pavement well into the evening. Wednesday night remains unsettled, with a 30 percent chance of lingering showers before skies clear toward Thursday…