Winter weather advisory issued for Tri-Cities. More snow, bitter cold and highway delays
The Tri-Cities woke up to snow on Tuesday and there likely will be more Wednesday morning.
The National Weather Service issued a winter weather advisory for the Tri-Cities area from 10 p.m. Tuesday to 8 a.m. Wednesday.
It forecasts another 1 to 2 inches of snow to accumulate during the advisory hours, with possibly up to 3 inches at higher elevations.
Drivers should expect slick roads and be prepared for a hazardous morning commute, it said.
During the Tuesday morning commute snowfall and freezing temperatures contributed to eight crashes in the Tri-Cities area, Trooper Chris Thorson with the Washington State Patrol reported on Twitter.
The Benton County Sheriff’s Office responded to three crashes between 5 and 6 a.m.
At 9:30 a.m., a Toyota Corolla was exiting Highway 240 at Columbia Park Trail when it’s driver lost control in the roundabout and struck a semi truck.
A state patrol report said the car’s driver — who went to the hospital — was driving too fast for conditions.
Thorson also reported 11 morning commute crashes in the Yakima area and five in the Grandview area.
“Speed too fast is still the leading cause for collisions,” he tweeted.
He advised drivers to adjust their speed, increase their following distance and stay off their cell phones “so we can all make it to our destinations safely.”
Richland police reminded drivers not to use cruise control in the snow.
“Brake and accelerate gently and in a straight line,” it recommended on social media. “Resist trying to steer while braking.”
More snow is possible on Thursday, with a 40% chance forecast. It’s most likely to fall from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Just under an inch of new snow is forecast in the Tri-Cities.
Cold New Year’s Eve
Temperatures will continue to be below freezing during the day in the Tri-Cities until Monday due to Arctic air.
Wednesday is forecast to be the coldest day of the week with a high of only 19.
Highs on other days could range from 23 on Monday, Friday and New Year’s Day to 28 on Thursday and Sunday.
The low could fall to 11 on Wednesday night and to just 10 on New Year’s Eve.
The normal average high for late December in the Tri-Cities is about 39 and the normal average low is about 27, according to data from the weather service.
Hypothermia case
Wind chills at times during the coldest temperatures in the Blue and Cascade mountains and foothills could reach sub-zero, with higher elevations nearing minus 10, according to the weather service.
However, winds should remain light.
People spending time outdoors, particularly at night, should watch out for signs of hypothermia.
Symptoms include uncontrolled shivering, slow or unclear speech, stumbling when walking, or confusion advancing to unconsciousness, according to the Washington state Department of Health.
To prevent hypothermia, wear warm layers of clothing, including headgear, since significant heat can be lost through the head. Change clothing when it gets wet.
People with hypothermia should be warmed slowly, in warm rather than hot temperatures and with warm but not hot liquids. They should not drink alcohol.
Call 911 if someone has reduced consciousness due to hypothermia, according to the state Department of Health.
Early Monday morning the Franklin County Fire District 3 responded to a possible hypothermia patient walking north of Pasco after his car broke down in 17 degree weather. He had no phone with him.
He was taken to Lourdes Medical Center in Pasco by ambulance, along with his dog.
There the dog was allowed to stay in the room with him on a warm blanket, the fire district reported, and thanked Lourdes and the ambulance staff for bending the rules to help the dog.
Snowy travel
Interstate 90 closed for a time Tuesday morning for westbound traffic about nine miles east of the Cascade Mountain summit at Price Creek due to crashes on slick roads.
It reopened about noon but closed a short time later 20 miles east of the summit because of several collisions and spun out vehicles in the westbound lanes.
Another 5 to 9 inches of snow are expected to fall on Interstate 90 on Snoqualmie Pass on Thursday, with more snow possible New Year’s Day through Monday, according to the weather service.
Thursday also could be the day with the most snow for travelers headed to Spokane before New Year’s Day. However, just 1 to 2 inches are expected to accumulate then.
More snow is likely Sunday night and Monday in Spokane.
Travelers through the Blue Mountains of Oregon on Interstate 84 can expect snow Wednesday through Thursday night.
The weather service has revised its forecast since earlier in the week, increasing the amount of snow expected there.
On Thursday, 4 to 8 inches of snow is possible at Meacham, Ore., about 30 miles east of Pendleton. Another 3 to 5 inches is possible that night.
More snow could fall Sunday and Monday.
This story was originally published December 28, 2021 at 12:29 PM.