UPDATE: Freak spring snowstorm closes highway, knocks out power west of Tri-Cities

A late spring snowstorm in the Tri-Cities region is expected to let up about midday but by 8 a.m. about an inch of snow already covered the ground in the Tri-Cities.

By mid morning, some parts of the Tri-Cities had 2 inches of snow on the ground.

The storm set a new Tri-Cities record, with April 11 now the latest day in the spring with measurable snowfall, according to data from the National Weather Service.

The previous record was 0.3 inch of snow on April 1, 1935.

Most schools and offices opened as usual, but the rural Paterson School District was on a three-hour delay and then closed for the day. The Sunnyside School District sent students home early after widespread power outages in the lower valley.

The storm caught Tri-Citians, and forecasters by surprise.

The weather service had predicted snow no lower than 1,300 foot elevation and much of the Tri-Cities is at about 400 feet.

Snow levels were expected to rise to 2,400 feet by the afternoon and then drop to 700 feet after midnight with a 40% chance of precipitation forecast, according to the weather service.

The snow falling today may not stick around long. The high is expected to be close to 47, and snow began to melt before noon.

Breezy winds could continue through the day with some gusts up to 25 mph, said the weather service.

Benton PUD reported that at least 5,660 customers were without power Monday morning from Benton City to Prosser after the failure of a Bonneville Power Administration transmission line.

Power was restored to all Benton PUD customers at 11 a.m.

Benton REA reported similar problems for 2,657 customers with power restored to about 1,000 customers in the Prosser area about the same time. It estimated that by 1 p.m. all customers should have power restored.

High winds took out power to Franklin PUD customers in some rural areas Monday morning, including in the Ringold, Basin City and Smith Canyon areas.

Weather closes roads

Interstate 84 was closed eastbound and westbound Monday evening from six miles east of Pendleton to just east of La Grande, Ore., due to snow and multiple trucks that had spun out.

A crash on slick roads on Interstate 82 near Prosser was blocking lanes Monday morning. Traffic was reported as stopped or stalled.

Highway 221 between Prosser and Paterson was closed due to multiple spinouts this morning with its reopening announced about 11:45 a.m.

Highway 24 from about 10 miles east of Yakima to Highway 240 at the Hanford nuclear reservation was closed in both directions about 10 a.m. due to snow and wind and remained closed at 3 p.m.

Highway 241 also was closed between Sunnyside and Highway 24, Hanford employees were told just before the late afternoon commute.

Highway 97 southbound near Toppenish also was closed as of 9:30 a.m. due to spinouts with no estimated reopening time.

Ben Franklin Transit canceled bus service from Benton City to Prosser due to hazardous road conditions. It also modified Route 47 in Canyon Lakes, Kennewick.

Other parts of Washington and Oregon were also getting hit.

Snow on mountain passes

There’s a winter storm warning for the Washington passes with heavy snow of 12 to 18 inches expected and winds as high was 40 mph above 3,000 feet.

The warning continues until 11 p.m. today.

“Travel could be very difficult to impossible,” said the weather service.

Travel will be affected on Interstate 90, Highway 12 over White Pass, as well as Blewett Pass.

The weather service predicted heavy snow on the east slopes of the Washington Cascade Mountains today through Tuesday.

However, I-90 at Snoqualmie Pass was bare and wet with snow and slush in places at 8 a.m., according to the Washington state Department of Transportation.

Part of the interstate was closed due to crashes on snowy roads for about five hours on Saturday and more snow fell on Sunday.

Snow is forecast in the Washington Cascade Mountains for much of the week, but temperatures could warm to make Easter weekend travel easier.

High temperatures at Snoqualmie Pass could be in the 40s Saturday and Sunday, making either rain or snow possible.

The Blue Mountains of Washington and northern Oregon could get 8 to 16 inches of new snow through Tuesday, according to the weather service.

The worst of the storm should be Monday night with 6 to 10 inches of new snow possible on I-84 at Meacham, Ore., 30 miles east of Pendleton.

A winter storm warning for Interstate 84 in the mountains east of Oregon is issued until 5 p.m. today.

Blowing snow is possible with gusts up to 28 mph at Meacham.

If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency, said officials.

Tri-Cities forecast

A slight chance of snow is forecast later in the week, but the early forecast calls for a mostly sunny Easter weekend in the Tri-Cities.

After possible rain or snow tonight, Tuesday is expected to be mostly cloudy, with a high near 49 and a light breeze.

Wednesday will be sunnier with highs near 51.

But a 30% chance of rain or snow returns Wednesday night into Thursday morning.

The forecast for Easter weekend calls for mostly sunny weather with highs in the upper 50s to low 60s.

This story was originally published April 11, 2022 at 7:36 AM.