Snow cancels Tri-Cities after-school activities. Hanford, other workers sent home

Snow started to fall on the Tri-Cities around noon Thursday, and schools began considering whether to hold after-school activities and Hanford site and Energy Northwest workers were sent home early.

The Richland Police Department warned drivers on social media in the early afternoon that roads were becoming slick and recommended slowing down.

Benton County Fire District reported a 18-vehicle crash including three semi trucks about 2:30 p.m. south of Kennewick on Interstate 82 near the Beck Road overpass.

One person was taken to a local hospital with serious, but not life threatening, injuries and several others were treated for minor injuries.

Interstate 84 through the Columbia River Gorge was icy Thursday, with white-out conditions in places, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation.

The first of multiple crashes between Hood River, Ore., and Multnomah Falls on I-84 was reported about 10:45 a.m., closing the westbound interstate for most of the day.

Oregon state troopers responded to eight crashes, and four people were taken to local hospitals with minor injuries. Local law enforcement also responded to an unknown number of crashes, according to the Oregon State Police.

The total number of vehicles involved was not known as of Thursday evening, according to state police. However, The Associated Press and Portland area news media put the number at near 100.

Interstate 84 also was closed in Eastern Oregon for part of the day due to blowing and drifting snow that reduced visibility.

Tri-Cities closures, cancellations

Here’s the latest on Tri-Cities area closures and cancellations for Thursday:

▪ Most workers at the Hanford nuclear site, including those in Richland, were sent home early ahead of what will be a four-day holiday weekend for those who work four 10-hour shifts a week.

Workers not essential to safety and security of the site were sent home at staggered release times of 1:30 and 2:15 p.m. to prevent some traffic congestion. Hanford employs about 13,000 people on and off site.

Swing and graveyard shifts for workers who are not essential were canceled.

▪ Energy Northwest workers not essential to safety and security were sent home at 2:15 p.m., with some of them continuing to work at home.

▪ Pasco city offices closed at 3 p.m.

▪ Franklin County sent home personnel not essential to safety and security, including court workers, at 3:30 p.m.

▪ Washington State University Tri-Cities in Richland planned to close at 4 p.m., with some later classes held online.

▪ Columbia Basin College closed all campuses.

▪ The Kennewick School District announced at 1 p.m. that most after-school and evening activities, meetings and online programs were canceled.

The district clarified its announcement to make clear that classes would continue until the end of the school day.

Buses were expected to run later than normal Thursday afternoon due to the snow.

▪ The Pasco School District has canceled after-school activities, programs, meetings, practices and Parent Education Center classes. The exception is Chiawana High basketball games because Spokane teams are already on the road to Pasco.

▪ The Richland School District has canceled after-school activities and athletics for Thursday except for high school playoff basketball games.

▪ North Franklin School District, which includes Connell, has canceled all after-school activities.

▪ Kiona Benton School District high school students were released at 2 p.m. to allow repair of a water leak in the main city water line.

Tri-Cities snow forecast

The Tri-Cities is under a winter weather advisory through Friday afternoon with 2 to 3 inches of snow expected by the National Weather Service.

On Thursday, the chance of snow is 80%. Snow is most likely between mid morning and 4 p.m.

The chance of snow drops to 60% Thursday night, with snow most likely after 10 p.m.

During the day Thursday 1 to 2 inches of snow is forecast, with 1 to 2 inches also possible Thursday night.

On Friday, the chance of snow is 50%. Less than a half inch of snow is forecast.

Saturday should be dry, but another storm system will move into the Tri-Cities area Saturday night.

Rain and snow is possible from 4 a.m. Sunday morning, turning to rain after 1 p.m.

The snow level early Sunday morning is forecast at 900 feet, with precipitation falling as rain at lower elevations.

Much of the Tri-Cities is at 400 feet, rising to about 1,000 feet just south of Kennewick near the Interstate 82 and Highway 395 interchange.

Less than half an inch of new snow is expected Saturday night with less than a half inch possible again on Sunday.

Rain is likely Sunday night, possibly continuing into mid-morning on Washington’s Birthday.

Rain is possible again on Wednesday in the Tri-Cities.

Tri-Cities cold

Nighttime temperatures will be colder than normal for mid February Thursday and Friday nights, but warmer than earlier this week.

The low Tuesday night was 5 degrees and the low Wednesday night was 4 degrees in the Tri-Cities.

Friday the low is forecast at 23 and Friday the low could drop to 17 before warming to the low 30s Saturday and Sunday night.

Normal lows for mid February are about 28 degrees.

The high could warm from 26 forecast for Thursday to 40 on Washington’s birthday, according to the weather service. Normal highs for mid February are about 49 degrees.

Travel forecast

Here’s the outlook for Tri-Cities area residents planning to drive to Western Washington or planning to drive Interstate 84 through the Columbia River Gorge or east toward Idaho this weekend:

▪ Travelers from the Tri-Cities crossing the Cascade Mountains on Interstate 90 could see only light snow Friday at Snoqualmie Pass. But 2 inches are possible Friday, 1 to 2 inches Saturday and 2 to 4 inches Sunday with a mix of rain and snow in the afternoon.

Precipitation should fall as rain on Washington’s birthday.

▪ Travelers heading west from the Tri-Cities through Oregon on Interstate 84 should expect snow and freezing rain.

A winter weather advisory is forecast for the lower Columbia River Gorge through Friday night.

At Hood River and The Dalles in Oregon 1 to 3 inches of snow could fall Friday, with another inch Friday night at Hood River.

Precipitation could fall as an icy wintery mix that includes snow, sleet and freezing rain on I-84 at Troutdale just before Portland from Thursday through 1 p.m. Friday.

Freezing rain is possible Saturday night until mid morning Sunday at Hood River, Ore.

▪ Travelers heading east on Interstate 84 from the Tri-Cities toward Idaho can expect light snow Thursday, but 3 to 5 inches of new snow Friday at the Blue Mountain summit near Meacham, Ore., about 30 miles east of Pendleton.

A winter weather advisory is in effect through 10 p.m. Friday there.

This story was originally published February 13, 2025 at 11:33 AM.