Snow in Tri-Cities forecast. Northwest holiday drivers could hit more snow, freezing rain

Snow is possible for the Tri-Cities on Sunday, and some travelers also could hit icy or snowy roads as the return to the Tri-Cities after the Thanksgiving holiday.

A storm will move across the Pacific Northwest to the north and east Saturday night and Sunday, according to the National Weather Service.

A 40 percent chance of snow is forecast in the Tri-Cities on Sunday, with up to an inch accumulating.

Snow is more likely in the Horse Heaven Hills on Saturday night and Sunday, with up to two inches forecast.

However, only a light wind is forecast, which reduces the chance of the drifting snow that caused problems earlier in the week.

Benton County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Fire District 5 first responders rescued eight people who became stranded in the snow drifts of the Horse Heaven Hills south of Benton City Wednesday night and Thanksgiving morning.

Deputies used the sheriff office’s utility terrain vehicle equipped with tracks to get through the drifts.

Roads had to be cleared that morning so tow trucks could reach six cars stuck in drifts.

Travelers returning to the Tri-Cities on Sunday could see some snow, most of it light.

The weather service is forecasting a 50 percent chance of snow from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Snoqualmie Pass on Interstate 90. Wind gusts as high as 30 mph could blow snow, creating drifts and limiting drivers’ visibility.

Drivers can expect slow traffic.

Travelers returning from Western Washington to the Tri-Cities over the weekend can expect congestion or stop-and-go traffic from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday until they reach Cle Elum, according to the Washington state Department of Transportation.

Snow forecast for I-84

Some of the worst road conditions for those returning to the Tri-Cities over the weekend could be in the west end of the Columbia River Gorge.

Snow is likely on Interstate 84 in the gorge late Saturday night and Sunday.

Near Cascade Locks, Ore., snow could turn to a wintery mix of rain, snow and freezing rain after 10 a.m.

The chance of snow along most of the gorge Sunday is 50 to 60 percent.

For travelers heading west to the Tri-Cities on I-84, a 40 percent chance of snow is forecast on Sunday in the Blue Mountains in Oregon.

Snow also is likely on Highway 395 on Sunday from Spokane to Ritzville between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., but less than half an inch accumulation is forecast.

Winter travelers should pack warm clothing, boots and gloves, blankets, a flashlight and extra batteries, food, water, a cell phone charger, tire chains and kitty litter or sand to help with traction, says the Department of Transportation.

This story was originally published November 29, 2019 at 4:04 PM.