>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

Welcome to spring in Eastern Oregon.

So far, the week of spring break has brought no break with winter weather. Partly sunny, partly cloudy with a mix of rain, hail, sleet, snow and temperatures dipping below freezing after sundown.

Wednesday night the wintry weather contributed to more than one accident on I-84 and prompted a closure at about 9 p.m. for both east and westbound traffic between Meacham and Pendleton.

Eastbound traffic was stopped at milepost 216 near Wildhorse Casino east of Pendleton.

“We just stopped them right there before the road takes off up Cabbage Hill. We hate to see people get up the hill, get into trouble and have to turn around and come back,” said Tom Strandberg, public information officer with the Oregon Department of Transportation, Region 5.

Westbound traffic was closed just beyond Meacham at milepost 224.

The freeway was opened again around 1 a.m., Strandberg said.

This morning, traffic was moving freely, though traction tires and chain restrictions were in effect over the Meacham summit for spotty ice and over Cabbage Hill for packed snow conditions.

Drivers negotiating the Tollgate pass this morning faced 4 inches of new snow, with snow flurries and packed snow on the road surface. Chains are required on all vehicles towing or over 10,000 pounds gross van weight.

The National Weather Service is predicting more snow through Saturday night, with a 60 percent chance forecast for Friday, along with the possibility of 40 mph gusts.

The storm could deposit anywhere from 2 to 4 inches in the valley. Those conditions will mean wintry weather, particularly over mountain passes.

For spring break travelers, Strandberg advises using caution.

“People need to go slow,” he said, “and be prepared for driving in winter weather even if it’s spring — this is Eastern Oregon.”

For up-to-the minute road conditions for all of Oregon, go online to ODOT’s www.tripcheck.com and click on the map.