Friday a.m. weather update: Storm ending and temperatures expected to rise well above freezing

The fountain at the Columbia Tech Center sign in east Vancouver is not running, but the snow still makes it look beautiful. Photo by Paul Valencia

The National Weather Service’s Winter Storm Warning ends at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 14, and temperatures are forecasted to reach the low 40s in Vancouver by the afternoon

The scenery this morning in Southwest Washington was picturesque.

The flow of traffic on the roadways … not so much.

Many of us woke up Friday morning to a beautiful layer of snow.

A black cat lawn decoration sticks out in the snow in east Vancouver on Friday morning. Photo courtesy Jenny Valencia

According to the latest forecast Friday morning, the winter storm is just about over, and temperatures are expected to reach the high 30s or low 40s by this afternoon. The National Weather Service’s Winter Storm Warning was set to end at 10 a.m. and the Cold Weather Advisory is scheduled to end at noon. The high temperature in Vancouver is forecast to be 41 degrees later in the afternoon.

Still, with a little bit of freezing rain Thursday night into Friday morning and with the layer of snow, the weather caused quite the concern for commuters.

The City of Vancouver is closed Friday.

Clark County offices are closed for in-person services, as well.

Clark County Superior Court will be closed in the morning but is planning to open for regular operations at 1 p.m. Friday.

All City of Battle Ground facilities are expected to open at 10 a.m. Friday. Residents are still encouraged to limit non-essential travels as crews continue to maintain roads.

All schools in Clark County closed Friday, while ESD 112’s main campus is on a 3-hour delay and will open at 11 a.m.

Oftentimes when we hear that schools are closed that also means all after-school activities are cancelled for the day. Due to improved weather in the forecast, some school districts are allowing their teams to travel to play in postseason basketball games Friday night or host games in their facilities.

Clark College and WSU Vancouver are closed Friday, as well.

Columbia River Mental Health Services are closed but operating remotely Friday.

All locations of the Vancouver Clinic are expected to open at 10 a.m. Friday. There are also video appointments available.

The Humane Society of Southwest Washington is closed Friday, too.