Overnight snow closes Tri-Cities schools. How much fell and how long will it stick around?

Cameron Probert
·2 min read

Tri-Citians spent Monday morning digging out from a weekend snowstorm that dumped three to four inches of snow across the region.

Snow started falling shortly after 2 p.m. Sunday and left the area with cold, wet blanket by the morning, leading to canceled and delayed school classes, slick roads and several crashes.

The snow was part of a larger storm that moved across Eastern Washington and Oregon starting on Sunday.

City crews were still clearing some of the busier streets in Kennewick around 8 a.m. Monday, with many of the intersections and hills scraped and salted.

A layer of overnight snow adds an element of realism to an abominable snowman Christmas decoration in the front yard of a home on South Kellogg Street near West Fifth Avenue in Kennewick.
A layer of overnight snow adds an element of realism to an abominable snowman Christmas decoration in the front yard of a home on South Kellogg Street near West Fifth Avenue in Kennewick.

Kennewick police asked people to be careful on the roadways following reports from regional law enforcement officers about collisions and spin-outs, according to a Facebook post from the department.

There also were several collisions on Interstate 82 between Kennewick and Umatilla, Trooper Sarah Clasen said on Twitter.

“The causing factor in the majority of these collisions in exceeding a safe speed for condition,” she said. “Please slow down and practice gentle steering and braking in this weather.”

Erika Ardiente uses her cell phone to capture her sled ride down the snow covered hill at Carmichael Middle School in Richland after the school district canceled classes because of the winter weather.
Erika Ardiente uses her cell phone to capture her sled ride down the snow covered hill at Carmichael Middle School in Richland after the school district canceled classes because of the winter weather.

There weren’t any reports of collisions leading to serious injuries.

Travel across the state was delayed Sunday by a 15-car pileup in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 90 on Snoqualmie Pass near Easton.

The eastbound lanes were closed about three hours.

The pass was clear Monday morning with no restrictions.

Interstate 84 in Oregon was also open after several crashes closed the interstate off and on last week.

Tri-Cities forecast

Precipitation tapered off by 11 a.m. Monday but temperatures were not expected to rise above freezing for the rest of the day, according to the National Weather Service.

Freezing fog is expected to move into the area overnight but then the weather service says temperatures should rise to 37 degrees.

Paul Clements, a City of Kennewick employee, uses an ATV outfitted with a snow plow Monday morning to clear the walkways around the Southridge Sports & Events Complex.
Paul Clements, a City of Kennewick employee, uses an ATV outfitted with a snow plow Monday morning to clear the walkways around the Southridge Sports & Events Complex.

There is a slight chance of snow in the area again later in the week. Forecasters say there is a 30% chance of rain or snow Thursday and Friday.

The snow level is expected to be from 800 to 1,400 feet in the area. The Tri-Cities elevation is about 400 feet above sea level.

High temperatures are expected to be above freezing.

School snow day

Sunday night’s storm led Tri-City schools to cancel many classes on Monday morning, while WSU Tri-Cities and Columbia Basin College delayed starting classes.

Dee Reese of Kennewick walks her two sweater wearing miniature Schnauzers early Monday morning near Volunteer Park off Canyon Lakes Drive in Kennewick. Reese said Piper is “snow professional” and Bella, her new puppy experiencing her first snowfall, is “still trying to decide if she likes it.”
Dee Reese of Kennewick walks her two sweater wearing miniature Schnauzers early Monday morning near Volunteer Park off Canyon Lakes Drive in Kennewick. Reese said Piper is “snow professional” and Bella, her new puppy experiencing her first snowfall, is “still trying to decide if she likes it.”

The Mid Columbia Library branches at Keewaydin Park, Kennewick, Pasco, Prosser, West Pasco and West Richland didn’t open until noon were considering closing early depending on the weather. Library closures will also be listed on the Mid-Columbia Libraries website.

At the Hanford site, non-essential workers were told to come in late Monday and to expect longer commute times.

Other city and county offices and businesses posted similar delays so employees could take their time getting to work.