More Tri-Cities snow? Very possible, says the weather service

Snowfall since last week in the Tri-Cities totaled at least 15 inches by Wednesday morning, according to AccuWeather.

And more is forecast.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Thursday for most of the Mid-Columbia.

As much as two to three inches of new snow could fall in the Tri-Cities, particularly at its higher elevations.

Snow is expected to start falling early in in the morning, but later in the day it could turn to a wintery mix of snow and freezing rain.

The chance of precipitation Thursday is forecast at 100 percent by the weather service.

Many students in the Mid-Columbia will have a fourth snow day in a row.

Kennewick, Pasco and Richland schools announced there would be no school on Feb. 14.

Students may check for other closures or delays at bit.ly/snowdelays.

Dry weather coming

By daylight Friday the Tri-Cities should see a break from precipitation until at least Tuesday night.

Skies likely will be cloudy for a few days. But there should be some clearing Sunday and a sunny day on Monday, which is Presidents Day.

Temperatures should remain colder than usual as skies clear.

Lows likely will range from the mid 20s to high teens from Friday night to Tuesday night. Highs should be in the low 30s and high 20s.

Cold temperatures could help slow some of the snow melt.

But the weather service recommends watching for standing water on roadways, storm drains that are blocked with ice and slush, and river ice that may break up and form ice jams.

Tri-Cities survived icy roads

Wednesday morning Tri-City residents woke up to fresh snow, with almost 2 inches falling overnight by 4 a.m.

Snow continued to fall at times over the next four hours.

Many local government offices opened two hours late and most Hanford and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory workers were told not to come to work.

Roads were particularly icy early in the morning because of freezing rain that left a layer of ice on the pavement before snow started to fall overnight.

Law enforcement agencies urged people to stay home Wednesday morning and wait for roads to clear.

“May we recommend some hot cocoa and a nice view out of your window instead of getting on the roads? If you don’t need to, please stay home and off the roads,” said the Prosser Police Department on social media.

I-90 at Snoqualmie slow to reopen

Interstate 90 closed Monday evening and 70 miles of roadway, including at Snoqualmie Pass, was just starting to reopen late Wednesday afternoon.

Westbound lanes were expected to remain closed from Ellensburg to North Bend at least until midnight due to continuing avalanche danger, said the Washington state Department of Transportation.

Traffic on eastbound lanes began moving slowly about 4 p.m., with groups of vehicles allowed through. The roadway was bare and wet with slush in places.

School closures

Some schools that announced two-hour delays Wednesday night had decided to cancel classes by Thursday morning.

Here are the announcements for schools on Feb. 14:

▪ Richland schools closed. No after-school activities or performances.

▪ Pasco schools closed. Athletic and other events canceled.

▪ Kennewick schools closed. After-school events and activities canceled.

▪ Finley schools on two-hour delay. No morning preschool.

▪ Columbia schools (Burbank) is closed.

▪ Prosser schools closed. No morning kindergarten or morning Tri-Tech.

▪ Kingspoint Christian School is closed.

▪ Christ the King School is closed.

▪ Calvary Christian School closed.

▪ Liberty Christian School Tri-Cities closed.

▪ St. Joseph’s Catholic School is closed. Children’s Center also closed.

▪ Kiona-Benton City schools are closed.

▪ North Franklin schools are closed.

Other closures, delays

▪ Children’s Developmental Center is closed.

▪ Meals on Wheels dining centers are closed. No home-delivered food. Clients should call the office if they need food.

▪ Benton Franklin Head Start is closed. All home visits are canceled.

▪ West Side Church in Richland has canceled preschool registration, Parent Connection Playgroup, Morning Glory Bible Study and Adult Choir rehearsal. More activities have been canceled through Saturday.

▪ Hanford is on a regular work schedule.

Check back for updates.

This story was originally published February 13, 2019 at 8:13 AM.