Olympia area forecast calls for clear and cold weather and possibly more snow
Snow closed schools and caused problems for drivers Monday, but snowy conditions are expected to be replaced by clear and cold weather the next couple of days, according to the National Weather Service.
However, there’s a chance snow will return later in the week.
Thurston County residents on Monday awoke to about 2 inches of snow. Many school districts initially delayed the start of school by two hours, then decided to close entirely.
The Yelm, Rainier, and North Thurston school districts, and Saint Martin’s University in Lacey eventually closed due to the weather, according to school information.
Olympia School District canceled afternoon and evening activities.
Meanwhile, snowy conditions posed a problem for some drivers. A multiple-vehicle collision closed Bald Hill Road between Smith Prairie Road and Longmire Road in southeast Thurston County about 11:20 a.m. Monday, according to Thurston County Public Works. It reopened about 1 p.m., the county said in a tweet.
In the region, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport reported at least 3 inches of snow, 62 canceled flights and 124 delayed flights. Ferry service was canceled in some spots. No major injuries were reported in the many fender benders reported in the region.
Snow was heaviest just north and east of Seattle, with 8 to 10 inches in some towns.
Sunshine returns Tuesday and Wednesday, but it is going to be cold. Temperatures are expected to be 15 degrees lower than normal this week, with lows in the teens, the National Weather Service said. Overnight temperatures will fall well below freezing and daytime highs will be in the 30s.
A chance of snow returns Wednesday and could remain until Friday morning, according to the National Weather Service.
For the most vulnerable, expanded shelter options are available, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday and ending at 7 a.m. Wednesday, according to the county.
The expanded options:
▪ For single men and women: Salvation Army, 1505 Fourth Ave. E. Olympia.
▪ For families with children: Family Support Center’s Pear Blossom Place, 837 Seventh Ave. SE, Olympia.
▪ For youth, ages 18-24: Community Youth Services, 520 Pear St. SE, Olympia.
For more information, call Thurston County’s coordinated entry shelter and housing hotline at 844-628-7343.
The Pacific Northwest’s first major winter snowstorm came as the Midwest warmed up from the polar vortex and parts of California and Montana braced for heavy rain and the threat of mudslides and avalanches.
This story was originally published February 4, 2019 at 8:29 AM.
