Wednesday morning’s storm could be just the beginning of snow

Evergreen High School was still in session Wednesday. The snow did not start sticking until after buses were en route to pick up students in the morning. This photo was taken at 11 a.m. Photo by Paul Valencia

Cold air expected to meet precipitation after sunset Wednesday, with the potential for more snow and certainly freezing temperatures on Thursday morning

Paul Valencia
ClarkCountyToday.com

Wednesday morning’s burst of snow in Clark County that led to the closure of some school districts might just be a preview of more snow overnight into Thursday morning.

Weather forecasters throughout the Portland-Vancouver television market noted that this storm has been tricky to forecast.

However, parents and students should be prepared for the potential for more school closures on Thursday.

Commuters should plan for extra time on the roads, stay home if they can, or head into work later than usual on Thursday.

Cascade Middle Schools in the Evergreen School District saw a blanket of snow on its campus Wednesday. Photo by Paul Valencia

Many school districts originally opted for a two-hour delay on Wednesday morning but quickly changed to calling off school all day in Battle Ground, Camas, Green Mountain, Hockinson, La Center, Ridgefield, Washougal, and Woodland.

In east Vancouver, snow started sticking near Evergreen High School a little later in the morning. Buses were already picking up students. The snow arrived even later in downtown Vancouver. By around 11 a.m. it was not sticking on the roads in the downtown area. Evergreen Public Schools and Vancouver Public Schools were on normal school hours.

The tricky forecast, though, leads some to think that all school districts in the region will be affected by Thursday morning.

According to Steve Pierce of KOIN 6 News, models indicate between a dusting and 4 inches of snow could fall across the region beginning just after sunset Wednesday and through Thursday morning.

“By sunrise on Thursday morning, the metro area will be solidly frozen with snowfall likely on the ground,” Pierce wrote on a Facebook post.

Snowfall is likely to be done by sunrise, but anything on the ground by then will be frozen. Temperatures will “struggle” to get into the 30s on Thursday afternoon, with low temperatures overnight Thursday and into Friday dropping into the teens, Pierce reported.

Friendly reminder: Softball and baseball practices begin Monday. These are the fields near Evergreen High School. Photo by Paul Valencia

The National Weather Service also has a wind chill advisory in effect from midnight Wednesday (Thursday a.m.) until Thursday at noon.The wind chill, according to the NWS, could go below zero.

Weather forecasters noted on television broadcasts Wednesday morning that the models that predict snowfall have not been consistent. Some suggest just a trace for the lower elevation spots. Others say the metro area could get a little more than 4 inches.

Wednesday morning’s snowfall was also difficult to predict. Forecasters said show showers would taper off in the morning and that the temperature would rise to 40 degrees by noon. In east Vancouver, the snow was still falling at 11:30 and it was 33 degrees near Evergreen High School.

C-TRAN services have also been impacted by Wednesday’s snow. C-TRAN sent a press release at 10:45 a.m. Wednesday noting that:

Route 19 is currently on snow route and service to WSU Vancouver is temporarily suspended.
The Current is temporarily unable to serve the Prune Hill area in Camas.
Route 47 is canceled for today.
Route 92 is operating on a snow route.
The Vine-Fourth Plain is using 40′ buses. Passengers should board where adverse weather signs are posted on each platform.

Visit C-TRANS’s website for any more updates.