Finally, snow in Tri-Cities. Here’s what to expect next
The Tri-Cities finally got enough snow this winter to turn rooftops and lawns white.
But to the likely dismay of kids on Friday, it wasn’t enough for schools to announce the first snow day of the winter.
The Tri-Cities has had some flurries this winter that failed to stick on the ground, and outlying areas at higher elevations had some light snow and slick roads this winter.
But the precipitation that fell overnight was the first to pretty much cover the ground in the Tri-Cities with as much as a half inch of snow.
Tri-Cities law enforcement agencies did not report significant issues with icy roads.
The snow is not likely to stick around long with a high of 44 forecast in the Tri-Cities Friday by the National Weather Service. But at 9 a.m. the temperature was still below freezing at 28 degrees at the Tri-Cities Airport.
More precipitation is forecast for the weekend and next week. But with temperatures expected to warm, it likely will fall as rain.
The high is forecast in the low to mid 50s from Sunday through at least Thursday in the Tri-Cities. Lows should be above freezing starting Saturday night and in the 40s Sunday and Monday nights.
A 30% chance of rain Sunday will increase to 70% on Monday. More rain is possible Tuesday and Thursday, according to the weather service.
The outlook for more Tri-Cities snow as March starts also is low.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration expects temperatures in the greater Tri-Cities area to most likely be near normal for the end of February through March 5 with a chance of 40% or less that precipitation could be above normal.
Mountain travel forecast
Travelers on Interstate 84 east through Oregon were hitting patches of dense fog with visibility of a quarter mile or less between Cabbage Hill and Deadman Pass east of Pendleton Friday morning, but the fog was expected to lift by afternoon.
A 30% chance of snow on I-84 in the Blue Mountains near Meacham, Ore., is forecast for Sunday, with more snow expected Tuesday and Wednesday.
Travelers on Interstate 90 over the Cascade Mountains in Washington should be prepared for snow. Through Monday the heaviest snowfall is forecast for Saturday, with 2 to 4 inches expected.
More snow is likely Tuesday through Thursday, according to the weather service.
This story was originally published February 20, 2026 at 10:21 AM.