Wintery mix frosting the Tri-Cities region. Snoqualmie already slushy

A 60% chance of a rain mixed with snow was predicted Wednesday night around the Tri-Cities region.

Temperatures were expected to dip overnight to about 31, according to the National Weather Service.

But the total nighttime snow accumulation was expected to be less than half an inch, said forecasters.

It was already snowing on Interstate 90 on Snoqualmie Pass on Wednesday night, leaving the roadway wet with slush and ice in places, reported the Washington State Department of Transportation.

And in Oregon, the eastbound lanes of Interstate 84 closed about 6:30 p.m. Wednesday because of crashes near Baker City.

By 9 p.m. the closure had been extended to La Grande and Pendleton because of vehicle crashes, said the Oregon Department of Transportation.

“The closure started in Baker City, then moved to La Grande and Pendleton when Baker City and La Grande became crowded with trucks,” said ODOT.

The Tri-Cities area is expected to warm up to about 40 on Thursday, with mostly sunny skies.

Then, a chance of snow returns Saturday morning. About 30% chance is predicted at elevations of about 1,000 feet, rising to 3,600 feet by Saturday afternoon.

Sunday is expected to be partly sunny, with a daytime high near 45.

This story was originally published December 15, 2021 at 6:58 PM.