Expect 1 to 2 inches of snowfall this afternoon, with an additional 2 to 4 inches overnight in the metropolitan area, according to the National Weather Service forecast.
Traffic issues will likely also remain a problem into Saturday.
Throughout this morning, the Washington State Department of Transportation responded to 12 collisions and 10 disabled vehicles in the hardest-hit areas of Clark and Cowlitz counties. The department has 20 maintenance personnel working in the two counties.
Although roadways are being plowed and treated, WSDOT still advises drivers to avoid travel if possible.
Gus Melonas, spokesman for the BNSF Railway, said freight and Amtrak passenger trains were moving throughout Southwest Washington today.
Track crews were working around the clock to clean out rail switches and keep the trains running, Melonas said, On Thursday, snow in a switch delayed one Amtrak train.
Melonas said rail traffic was moving a little slower than normal today because it was taking longer to shuttle crews to trains due to slick roads.
Many weekend activities have also been canceled because of the snow.
All Parks and Recreation facilities will close at 4 p.m. today.
Firstenburg, Marshall and Vancouver Tennis Center will be closed all day on Saturday, and a decision on Sunday activities will be announced Saturday on the Parks and Recreation website at http://www.cityofvancouver.us/parksrec.
All school and college weekend activities are also canceled. However, the ACT test at Mountain View High School is still planned.
According to the National Weather Service, the storm on Thursday and this morning resulted in snow accumulation levels of 9.5 inches in Ridgefield, 7.5 inches in Salmon Creek, 7 inches in Woodland, 7 inches in Battle Ground, 3.3 inches in Vancouver, 3 inches in Orchards and 2 inches in Hockinson.
The service anticipates an additional 2 to 6 inches into Saturday, with snow picking up around the evening commute today.
Sub-freezing temperatures are also expected to continue into Saturday. The service is predicting an overnight low of 24 tonight and a high of 31 degrees on Saturday, and a low of 31 and a high of 32 on Sunday.
Thursday’s high of 23 degrees broke the record-lowest high temperature of 32 degrees, set on the same date in 1899.
NWS has issued a Winter Storm Warning for the new storm effective from 2 p.m. today until 10 a.m. Saturday.
Winds are also expected to increase this afternoon and evening, with gusts of 35 to 45 mph near the Columbia River Gorge.
Most of the snowfall is expected to switch to rain on Saturday afternoon or Sunday.
This week’s wintry weather has caused havoc in Clark County, but the storms bring good news for the state’s mountain snowpack.
A month ago, snowpack in the Lower Columbia basin of Southwest Washington stood at just 33 percent of normal. As of Friday morning, that number is up to 50 percent — still far below normal, but catching up. Other parts of the state have made similar gains in recent weeks, according to data from the Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Mountain snowpack helps drive the region’s water supply and reservoir levels in the spring and summer. The resulting ripple effect impacts agriculture, ecology and power generation in the Northwest.
The Washington State Department of Transportation reported its force of snowplows worked through Thursday night and Friday morning; by 5 a.m. Friday, freeways and highways were plowed, but the surface was still compact snow and ice, according to WSDOT’s webcams. The city of Vancouver reported its crews are working around the clock to maintain arterial streets. Clark County reports 25 pieces of equipment are deployed for snow removal today.
Virtually all schools in Clark County are closed today. To check on specifics, visit The Columbian’s school closures page.
Also not happening today: Garbage and recycling collection. Friday customers can put out extra bags at next Friday’s collection at no extra charge.
C-Tran is operating, but has issued some rider alerts. Service is suspended on Portland commuter routes 157, 177 and 190. Snow detours are affecting routes 2 Lincoln, 3 City Center, 7 Battle Ground, 9 Felida, 19 Salmon Creek, 32 Evergreen/Andresen, 32 Hazel Dell and 47 Battle Ground Limited.
Flying today? Portland International Airport is open, and most flights are expected to operate. But as of 6 a.m. there were already nine cancellations, according to the Port of Portland. Check the airport’s status board for your flight.
