Tri-Cities snowstorm delays schools, sends cars crashing

The Tri-Cities woke up to an inch or two of snow Friday morning and can look forward to more.

Snow was continuing to fall after daylight Friday and the National Weather Service issued a winter weather advisory to start late afternoon. It is in effect until at least 4 p.m. Saturday.

Snow is forecast for the Tri-Cities through Presidents Day weekend, with a possibility of at least 4 to 6 inches of snow total over four days.

Slick roads led to more than two dozen crashes along highways and roads in the Tri-Cities.

Trooper Daniel Mosqueda told the Herald Friday morning there had been 15 to 17 wrecks that the Washington State Patrol had responded to before 10 a.m. And they were still going to more.

That included a four-car pileup in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 182 near Richland that caused a backup after the highway was closed for a time.

The state patrol was calling in additional troopers to help.

“If you need to travel on the roadways, please allow extra time to get to your destinations,” the Benton County Sheriff’s Office posted to social media early Friday. “The roads are icy and slick in many areas of the county.”

The COVID testing site at Columbia Basin College of Argent Road in Pasco closed early on Friday afternoon.

It is expected to open at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, but could close earlier than its usual 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday if weather conditions worsen.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland also sent workers home early. All but workers essential to safety and security were told to leave the office by 3 p.m.

Hanford and PNNL also canceled their swing and graveyard shifts Friday except for essential workers.

Kennewick and Finley schools announced a two-hour delay to the start of classes, and the Columbia School District in Burbank switched to online learning for the day.

Richland buses were on snow routes, but were running on time. Pasco schools also opened on time.

Several private schools told students to stay home.

The forecast called for a chance of steady snow after 4 p.m. Friday.

An 80% chance of snow Friday night and Saturday was forecast, with 1 to 3 inches possible after 4 p.m. Friday through the night and another 1 to 3 inches possible on Saturday, according to the weather service.

Overnight Saturday the chance of snow drops to 30%, and the Tri-Cities could get a break from snowfall for most of Sunday. Only a 10% chance is forecast.

But more snow is possible Sunday night, with the chance of snow increasing to 50% on Washington’s Birthday.

But less than an inch is expected to accumulate that day.

One Tri-Cities business was making the most of the snowstorm on Friday.

Northwest Paddleboarding in Richland was selling and delivering all kinds of sleds — inflatable, foam, toddler, classic metal saucers, plastic saucers and more — in the Tri-Cities area, it posted on its Facebook page.

Ski Bluewood near Dayton was boasting about its fresh powder on social media on Friday. It is open 9 am. to 4 p.m. through the weekend, including Presidents Day.

COVID vaccination site

With more snow on the horizon, the Southeast Washington Interagency Management Team is asking people to come in early for their COVID vaccine appointments.

Anyone with an appointment for Saturday was being asked to come to the Benton County Fairgrounds on Friday in case the weather is worse on the weekend.

The site still is expected to be open on Saturday for those with appointments who didn’t come a day early.

“Staff at our mass vaccination sites are doing everything they can to make sure people are safe, which includes keeping an eye on road conditions,” the team said in an announcement.

People who are heading to the mass vaccination clinic are being asked to drive safely and be patient as organizers get everyone through the car line. Wait times were being kept to about an hour.

The Walla Walla County Department of Community Health canceled its second-dose vaccination clinics planned for Saturday and Monday.

They are rescheduled for 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 20. Call 509-524-2647 for more information.

Cold temperatures

The temperature at 7:30 Friday morning was 18 degrees at the Tri-Cities Airport, with a high of just 24 forecast for the day.

Colder than normal temperatures could persist at least through Thursday.

Highs were not expected to warm into the 30s until Monday, with a high of 34 forecast then. On Tuesday the high could reach 40, with highs remaining in the low 40s through at least Thursday, according to the weather service.

The coldest night forecast for Presidents Day weekend is Saturday, when the low could drop to 15.

Overnight lows should warm to about 21 on Sunday and 26 on Monday. But they are not forecast to be up to 30 until Wednesday night.

High temperatures normally average about 48 in February in the Tri-Cities and lows about 30 degrees.

Travel forecast

It’s a good weekend to stay home, with snow forecast for the Cascade and Blue mountains and the Columbia River Gorge off and on through Monday.

A winter storm warning is issued through Saturday afternoon for Snoqualmie Pass on Interstate 90 in western Washington.

Up to 6 inches of new snow is forecast for Friday night with another 3 to 5 inches accumulating on Saturday.

But the worst conditions are forecast for Washington’s Birthday. Heavy snowfall Monday could dump 10 to 14 inches on the highway.

In the Columbia River Gorge at Hood River on Interstate 84, up to 5 inches of new snow could accumulate Friday night. More snow is forecast through the weekend with up to 5 inches more just on Sunday night.

Travelers heading east over the Blue Mountains can expect up to 5 inches of fresh snow Friday night and up to 4 more inches on Saturday on I-84 at Meacham, Ore.

On Sunday night and Monday more snow is forecast, turning to a wintery mix of snow and freezing rain late Monday night.

Slick Roads

The Washington State Patrol reported two crashes that sent people to local hospitals.

The first was shortly after 7:30 p.m. Thursday on Interstate 182 after Brian L. Davis, 38, of Pasco, lost control of a Chevy Trailblazer as he headed west and crashed into a Toyota Camry with a 44-year-old driver and two teens.

Andrea R. Cardoza of Pasco was taken to Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland. Davis was cited for driving too fast for the conditions.

Then about 10:15 p.m., Yesenia Adi-Chavez, 37, of Pasco, lost control of her Dodge Ram pickup in the westbound lanes of Interstate 182 and hit an embankment, said the WSP.

She also was taken to Kadlec and was cited for driving too fast for conditions.

If people need to drive, Mosqueda advised them to slow down, put their lights on, increase the distance between themselves and the car in front of them and avoid making sudden turns.

“If folks can do their part to help us out, that is great,” he said.

Power outages

The snow and cold weather could lead to power outages in the Mid-Columbia.

Franklin PUD offered these tips to be prepared:

▪ Make sure your phone is charged and have a portable charger on hand.

▪ Keep freezers and refrigerators closed.

▪ Do not use a gas stove or oven to heat your home.

▪ Disconnect appliances and electronics to avoid damage from momentary electrical surges as power returns..

▪ Generators, camp stoves ad charcoal grills should always be used outdoors and at least 20 feet from windows.

▪ Check on neighbors, especially the elderly.

This story was originally published February 12, 2021 at 7:43 AM.