It’s nothing like the whiteouts that walloped Dallas, Chicago and New York earlier this winter. But the forecasted snow storm meteorologists must have been nervous about having predicted did, in fact, materialize.
Residents throughout Clark County woke up to snow-dusted streets and schoolchildren were rewarded with a seemingly elusive snow day.
Some parts of northern Clark County received up to 5 inches of white powder. In downtown Vancouver, it was more of a light dusting that may have accumulated to about an inch. Columbian weather blogger Steve Pierce wrote this morning that between 2 and 5 inches fell in other parts of Vancouver.
Most area schools have canceled classes today. C-Tran has suspended some routes and is running other buses on snow routes. For information, visit www.c-tran.com or call 360-695-0123.
Icy roads contributed to about a half-dozen minor wrecks Wednesday night. Vancouver Fire Capt. Scott Willis said engines are equipped with chains but all has been quiet since the several crashes that occurred just as the snow started falling Wednesday.
City and county public works crews are treating arterials and other heavily-traveled streets with de-icers and snowplows. If you have to drive today, drive slowly and allow more space between vehicles.
Pick up of garbage and recycling has been canceled. It has not yet been decided when those services will be made up.
Portland International Airport is open and most flights are expected to remain on schedule.
The National Weather Service predicts a 35-degree high and up to 3 inches of daytime accumulation in Vancouver. Higher elevations can expect even more snow. Friday, too, is expected to top out with a high of 35 degrees, which means the snow on the ground isn’t likely to melt away quickly.
