Icy roads force some school closures and delays. Slow melting expected

Temperatures will be warming, speeding the snow melt in the Tri-Cities area, according to the National Weather Service.

However, a gradual melt is expected, unlike February a year ago when there was widespread flooding in the Blue Mountains.

Gradual temperature rises should help prevent major flooding.

The Yakima River is forecast to crest at Kiona, the closest gauge upriver from the Tri-Cities, at about 8 feet on Wednesday. Flood stage is 13 feet.

However storm drains could become blocked, leading to standing water on roadways.

Highs in the Tri-Cities are forecast to warm from about 41 on Friday to 46 on Saturday and 51 on Sunday.

By Monday, the high could be as warm as 55, which is about eight degrees above the average high for a normal February.

Lows should climb above freezing starting Saturday night and remain there through Monday night before dropping to just below freezing Tuesday night. The warmest night in the coming week may be Sunday, with a low of 44 forecast.

Closures and delays

Pasco School District closed all remote and in-person learning Friday because of the hazardous driving conditions on icy roadways.

Most other Tri-Cities schools were on time, with some outlying districts planning 2-hour delayed starts.

The free drive-through community test site at Columbia Basin College off Argent Street in Pasco opened late on Friday due to safety concerns related to weather conditions, said the Benton Franklin Health District.

The site normally is open daily 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m..

Individuals can preregister at www.wacovid19.org/tricitiestesting.

More COVID-19 local testing options are listed on the Health District website at https://covid19.bfhd.wa.gov

Mountain pass

The Washington State Department of Transportation required chains on all vehicles except all-wheel drive both directions on Interstate 90’s Snoqualmie Pass early on Friday and then made it an advisory later in the morning.

Drivers were told to be prepared and expect delays due to weather conditions.

More snow is coming, with up to 8 inches forecast at Snoqualmie Pass Saturday night. Heavy snow also is forecast for Monday night.

Interstate 84 was closed at times Thursday night from Ontario to Pendleton in Eastern Oregon due to unchained trucks blocking lanes and white-out conditions, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation.

The interstate was fully opened about 3 a.m. Friday until sometime before 8 a.m. when a truck crash caused eastbound lanes to be closed near Baker City, Oregon. The road reopened about 10:30 a.m.

This story was originally published February 19, 2021 at 7:53 AM.