Snow closed Washougal schools Thursday, and temperatures are low enough for a dusting in east Clark County early Friday, according to the National Weather Service in Portland.
There was at least a single report Thursday morning of as much as 8 1/2 inches of snow just east of Washougal, said meteorologist Colby Neuman. The same amount of snow fell at Multnomah Falls in Oregon, directly across the Columbia River, so the snowfall total is believable, Neuman said. No other weather spotters in the Clark County community called to report snow, he said.
Lower elevation areas in Camas, to the west, saw rain, Neuman said.
“It was like a hard line between the two (communities),” he said. “The precipitation looks to have stopped around 9:10 a.m.”
Yacolt likely was drenched by a mix of snow and rain. A single spotter reported less than a half-inch of snow had accumulated. Backyard weather stations in Battle Ground relayed temperatures that supported rainfall Thursday morning, according to the weather service.
Early Friday morning, it will be cold enough for a dusting of snow to fall “just about anywhere in Clark County,” Neuman said. Snow is more likely in higher terrain, or the same areas that were blanketed Thursday morning.
Forecasters warned residents in a special weather statement Thursday that the cold temperatures may cause icy roads and spotty snow in the usual Clark County towns — Vancouver, Battle Ground, Ridgefield, Washougal, Yacolt and Amboy. Temperatures were expected to dip into the upper 20s and lower 30s Thursday night, the statement read.
“Any moisture on the roadways will likely freeze, creating slick spots. Highest potential will be on rural roads and other less-traveled roadways through forested areas,” the weather service said.
The Hockinson School District announced Thursday that two of its buses would drive on snow routes. No school closures were reported by the time of publication.
Things should clear up later Friday morning, but expect rain in the afternoon and at night in Vancouver and around the county.
Temperatures will warm starting Friday night. The high on Saturday for Vancouver is 45 degrees, with a chance of showers in the metro area through Sunday, and then rain through Thursday.
