Editor's note
Story updated at 10:53 a.m. with NWS alert downgraded from warning to advisory.
Story updated at 7:48 a.m. with the latest school closure information.
Philomath-area residents woke up to snow cover on Tuesday morning with a winter storm moving through the region. The National Weather Service office out of Portland had issued a winter storm warning but later in the morning downgraded the alert to a winter weather advisory to remain in effect until 1 p.m.
As part of the weather situation, Philomath schools started the morning with a two-hour delay but by 7:45 a.m., had decided to cancel classes for the day. Linn-Benton Community College and Alsea also canceled its classes.
The winter storm warning advised residents to expect heavy wet snow with additional snow accumulations of 2 to 5 inches — the heaviest occurring above 500 feet. The revised alert later in the morning indicated additional snow accumulations of up to 1 inch.
The NWS advises motorists to plan on slippery road conditions with an impact on the morning commute.
According to a forecast posted by The Weather Channel, the Philomath area was expected to see rain showers on and off into the afternoon and early evening with temperatures reaching the high 30s.