Southwest Washington is likely to see snow Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service, and as of Tuesday night, Woodland Public Schools had already made the call to dismiss students two hours early this afternoon.
Though there was uncertainty with Wednesday’s forecast in the beginning of the week, meteorologists for the weather service said that data gathered through Tuesday gave them more confidence in their prediction for snow Wednesday afternoon.
“Where the question remains is, what will the accumulation be?” meteorologist Matthew Cullen said.
Amanda Bowen, another meteorologist, said some of the forecasters’ computer models started jibing as Tuesday went on, which has helped forecasters feel a bit more confident about 1 to 2 inches of snow accumulation Wednesday.
It could be a bit more, it could be a bit less, she said.
“There are a lot of different computer models that we look at, and they all have a slightly different idea of what’s going to happen,” she said.
Snow aside, forecasters expect a high temperature near 33 degrees Wednesday, with breezy winds in the 18- to 22-mph range, and gusts of up to 34 mph.
Wednesday night should see the wind calm down some, with low temperatures around 26 degrees and clouds.
Having worked 37 winters at the Washington State Department of Transportation, Mike Gartman has pretty much seen it all when it comes to snow. He’s seen weather predictions call for dustings that turn into inches of snow and forecasts that say the area will be blanketed with snow, only to have nothing fall from the sky.
Whatever happens Wednesday and later this week, Gartman said, his crews are prepared.
“They’re always ready to go,” he said. “The crew really likes playing in the snow.”
Later this week
Thursday’s forecast includes a 20 percent chance of snow. There’s a slight chance of flurries that night, and clear weather is expected Friday. Forecasters predict chances of rain or snow over the weekend, but Bowen said it will be cold either way; high temperatures aren’t expected to break 40 until Monday.
“It’s going to remain pretty cold, and that’s something we want to make sure people are aware of and prepared for,” she said.
Bowen said no ice is expected from this round of winter weather, but nine WSDOT trucks equipped with snowplows and de-icing material are prepared to hit the road should the weather result in slick conditions.
Gartman said that crews start with the interstates and work their way out to other arterials, paying close attention to bridges and overpasses.
Gartman said that motorists should pay close attention to weather forecasts and prepare to be stuck in traffic. He asked drivers to use good judgment and slow down for the conditions.
