Our local forecast here in Portland has not mentioned freezing rain until the news last night, and that is for Thursday.

As I said earlier, our forecast changes so frequently, so don't count on anything until about a day before. If we get anything, the entire area will basically shut down.

I hope that the weather in Portland will improve before your arrival in Portland on Fri. Dec 16. Today, on Wed., the Portland area was hit by snow, but the weather forecast suggests it will be improving but cold - in the mid 20's.
http://q13fox.com/2016/12/14/even-th...and-snowstorm/
and
http://www.kgw.com/weather/another-w...week/368290103

elbegewa--Yes, it is an absolute mess here!!! Everything is shut down today, and a lot will probably still be tomorrow. Our local news is saying this will hang around a bit, and we are expecting more off and on through Saturday. I did my errands yesterday before it hit, thankfully, but so many people got stuck. It is still very icy out today.

I just heard from a friend/neighbor. It took her over 5 hours to get home from work last night. She drives a Suburban and knows how to drive in the snow, but conditions and other drivers etc were just such a mess.

Our news this morning has stayed local. No GMA, other shows, just all local weather news.

yes, yesterday it took my sister's husband 2 hours to drive 11 miles near Hillsboro, a suburb west of Portland ... and there were no significant hills enroute

elbegewa--We sit at the top of a very big hill, so nobody here is going anywhere. Glad you sis lives in a flatter area so they can get around today, maybe. We have new neighbors that moved from coastal CA and they haven't left the house is over a week, lol, and after last weeks storm, it was fine till yesterday.

Bostonblondie226: How is your trip turning out? The snow may have been troubling, but hopefully the the current part-sun and tomorrow's sun is making up for it.

I too am curious as to how their trip is going. Hopefully our weather didn't keep them too cooped up:) I am curious where they ended up staying. There have been hints at a trace of snow this weekend again. Of course it is way too early to trust any forecast for that, but will be interesting to see just what plays out.

elbegew--Are you here visiting?

If you need to kill some time due to bad weather, go to Powell's Books! Prepare to get lost in their massive stacks. I could spend a day there alone.

@Elbegewa & @mms -- Thanks for checking in and for your many helpful suggestions pre-trip. Just got back from Portland. What a fabulous trip! The weather was bad at the beginning and on arrival -- thank goodness we rented a 4WD, otherwise with the house we rented being way up in the west hills (800 ft plus elevation), it could have proven inaccessible. But otherwise, I think we really lucked out with lots of unexpected sunshine -- even on days with predicted rain. The snow/ice was gone by Tuesday. Only on one day -- last Monday -- did it pour. And I mean pour. You weren't kidding that NW winter rains are something special.

@JeffatTheShore -- Powell's is indeed an amazing place. We made several stops and purchases. The only thing I didn't like was that their coffee place -- World Cup -- though not bad, really couldn't hold a candle to the tens of hipster places we stopped at!

Hopefully I will find time to do a trip report in the near future -- Portland and surrounds is a gem and underrated by us east coast folks.

Bostonblondie--Glad you had a great trip and didn't let the weather detract from it:) Attitude makes such a difference, and yours is great! Yes, our weather is rather interesting at times, lol, especially this winter. We are getting some rain here again today.