A massive winter storm that will affect much of the country will hit Oregon on Thursday. The storm is so severe that it’s canceling holiday flights across the country. Airlines and travelers are now scrambling to rearrange their holiday plans to avoid the life-threatening temperatures.

Many parts of the country, especially the Midwest, are gearing up for their coldest Christmas weekend in decades. Some places may see temperatures as low as 20 degrees below zero, which is in “never leave the house” territory. Other places will get freezing rain, snow, and a wind chill that will reach deep into your bones. It’s so widespread that around 190 million people are under a weather advisory of some kind. That’s more than half of the U.S. population, all huddled up during what’s supposed to be a lovely holiday time.

Eugene Will Miss the Worst of the Winter Storm

The worst of the storm will hit the landlocked plains and Midwest regions. However, that doesn’t mean that Oregon won’t experience some adverse effects of the storm. In fact, the entire Willamette Valley will see unusually cold temperatures and freezing wind.

Cities further north, like Portland, will have it worse than others. Portland has a winter storm advisory in place from Thursday afternoon at 4 p.m. until Friday night at 10 p.m. As you travel south through the Willamette Valley, the temperatures will get slightly warmer. However, the National Weather Service still expects there to be freezing rain and potential power outages in the area.

If you live in the Willamette Valley, now is a great time to start preparing for this storm. Make sure you and your family have some bottled water handy in case of a water issue and a way to stay warm even without power. Some are concerned that the storm will cause power outages, which can be fatal in a severe cold. So make sure you and your family have a plan for staying warm during this wild storm!