Tri-Cities snowed in. All 3 main passes over WA Cascades closed
Most schools and businesses came to a halt Thursday morning in the Tri-Cities as 4 to 5 inches of fresh snow coated the region on top of roads already slick from freezing rain.
Schools closed for the day, along with the day shift at the Hanford nuclear reservation both in Richland and on site, and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland.
Travelers trying to cross the Cascade Mountains were having a tough time.
About 70 miles of Interstate 90 from North Bend to Ellensburg closed overnight and remained closed Thursday. The Washington state Department of Transportation had planned to reassess by noon but conditions were too dangerous then for crews to drive the route.
Officials said the pass would remain closed until Friday and possibly Saturday.
High avalanche danger, heavy snowfall, and blowing and drifting snow were concerns.
The other two main passes across the Washington Cascade Mountains, White and Stevens, also were closed to traffic. Falling trees were a concern on White Pass, and heavy snow and snow slides were a concern on Stevens Pass.
Interstate 84 was open across Eastern Oregon Thursday, but was closed seven miles west of Cascade Locks due to a landslide. The interstate was closed from about Troutdale to Hood River in the Columbia River Gorge.
Highway crashes
The Washington State Patrol reported 50 crashes in the Tri-Cities area during the Wednesday evening commute and long traffic delays on Highway 395 and Interstate 182.
In Finley a teen was hit by a four-wheeler about 8 p.m., but did not appear to be seriously injured, according to calls to 911.
The slick roads also shut down the hill on Bombing Range Road for several hours Wednesday night. Traffic was backed up as people tried to make their way up the hill.
The curves on the road sent a vehicle crashing into a fence before driving away south.
Few crashes were being reported Thursday morning as closed schools and offices kept traffic light.
Ben Franklin Transit closed routes and other services Wednesday evening, but was starting up some limited route service at 9 a.m. Thursday. However, other services remained closed.
Richland reported that crews had plowed priority 1 roads as of 9 a.m. and were starting on priority 2 streets.
Air travel
Despite the weather, it was business as usual at the Tri-Cities Airport. Airport Director Buck Taft said they’ve had no weather cancellations.
“We worked through the night and everything’s good here,” Taft said. “We’re operational.”
Taft also said flights to and from Seattle are back on track after major snags at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport last week.
A winter storm hitting the SeaTac area caused the airport to have to issue a ground stop on Dec. 26, which put the brakes on all traffic into and out of the airport until crews could get the delays from wintry conditions under control.
This caused two Alaska Airlines flights that were already in descent to have to divert to Pasco. Passengers were able to complete their trip the next afternoon.
Taft said workers have also ensured airport parking lots and passenger drop off and pick up areas are cleared.
Tri-Cities forecast
Thursday may be the last snow day for a while for Tri-Cities school children.
The National Weather Service forecast calls for warming temperatures and rain.
The Tri-Cities was under a winter weather warning until noon because of the possibility of freezing rain until then.
A 60 percent chance of rain was forecast Thursday night, with more rain possible until 10 a.m. Friday.
Then dry weather was forecast for the Tri-Cities through at least Wednesday, with partly to mostly sunny skies.
Clearer skies will mean below normal temperatures.
The forecast calls for a high of 46 on Friday, with highs dropping to around freezing from Sunday through Tuesday.
Lows are forecast to drop to just below freezing Friday night and then into the low to mid 20s through Tuesday night.
Travel forecast
More snow is forecast for I-90 at Snoqualmie Pass this week, but it should be lighter than the up to 14 inches of new snow that was forecast for Thursday.
A wintery mix of rain, freezing rain and snow was forecast for Friday, turning to snow Friday night. The chance of snow Saturday was 30% with no snow expected Sunday.
Rain was falling on Interstate 84 in the Blue Mountains of Oregon east of the Tri-Cities on Thursday.
Friday rain or snow is forecast with little snow accumulation.
No snow is forecast for Saturday or Sunday.
Tri-City Herald reporters Cameron Probert and Cory McCoy contributed to this report.
This story was originally published January 6, 2022 at 10:23 AM.