Last blast of 5 days of Tri-Cities storms could bring rain. More snow possible too

Snow fell nearly continuously through the night until about 8 a.m. Monday, but a temporary end is in sight.

The National Weather Service forecast a 40% chance of precipitation overnight into Tuesday morning, but it expected rain, not snow.

Dry weather and warmer temperatures are forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday, but snow could return Thursday.

But then just one day of snow is forecast, not the five days of snow that have slammed the Tri-Cities since last Thursday.

A 50% chance of snow is forecast after 10 a.m. Thursday, but with just a half inch of snow possible, according to the early forecast of the weather forecast.

Monday morning the Tri-City Herald measured 12 inches of snow accumulation in Richland.

Trained observers for the weather service reported 11 inches of snow on the ground seven miles west of Kennewick and 12.5 inches of snow just north of Richland at 7 a.m. Monday.

Closures

Overnight rain could leave roads icy on Tuesday.

The Hermiston School District on Monday canceled classes for Tuesday because of road conditions in the region. The Paterson School District will open three hours late on Tuesday.

Meals on Wheels has canceled home delivery for Tuesday but frozen meals can be picked up at its office.

Many businesses and schools were scheduled to be closed Monday for Washington’s Birthday.

However, it was a work day for Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Employees were told not to come to work until at least 12:30 p.m. Monday except for essential staff.

Hanford nuclear reservation workers, including vitrification plant workers, also were told not to report to the site Monday for day shift unless their jobs were essential to safety and security.

Snowy roads

On Monday morning Kennewick police reported that even though snowplows worked through the night, cars with low clearance might have trouble driving some of the city’s streets.

Sunday night and early Monday morning officers were kept busy responding to cars stuck in the slow after sliding off slick roadways.

From Friday through Sunday night Kennewick police had responded to 45 crashes.

The number would have been higher, but people stayed at home over the weekend, the police department posted on social media. It was appreciated, the department said.

“”We cannot stress this enough, but please STAY HOME unless it’s completely necessary to be out driving,” the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, posted to Facebook early Monday morning.

“Not only are you placing yourselves in danger, but also other motorists, first responders and the tow truck drivers who are having to be out of their trucks,” it said.

Some drivers have been passing deputies at crash scenes at high rates of speed, it said.

Pasco police put some humor into their message to drivers: “Roses are red. Salsa is spicy. Slow down and drop back. Cause the roadways are icy.”

Richland snowplows, which had been plowing neighborhood streets, focused on plowing main roadways Sunday night.

Warming weather

The high on Monday was expected to remain below freezing, but temperatures could reach 40 on Tuesday and 42 on Wednesday, according to the weather service. By Sunday the Tri-Cities high could reach 51, which is close to normal.

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

Overnight lows should be in the mid to high 20s this week, warming to the low 30s Thursday and Friday nights.

Travel forecast

A winter storm warning remains in effect for Interstate 90 at Snoqualmie Pass.

Chains were required on Monday when another 8 to 12 inches of snow was forecast.

About 1:30 p.m. Monday I-90 closed at North Bend to eastbound traffic because of multiple vehicle spinouts.

The forecast called for 7 to 11 inches overnight Monday and 4 to 8 inches of snow Tuesday.

Travelers heading east from the Tri-Cities on Interstate 84 should also be prepared for snowfall.

Overnight Monday 5 to 9 inches of new snowfall were forecast at Meacham on I-84, with another 3 to 5 inches on Tuesday.

This story was originally published February 15, 2021 at 9:22 AM.