The Vancouver metro area continued to dodge Washington’s plentiful snowfall Monday, but there was some chance that the area could get hit overnight.
The National Weather Service in Portland issued a winter storm watch Monday morning for Vancouver and other Clark County communities. Forecasters reported that they were moderately confident Clark County would see more snow, particularly at higher elevations. They had lower confidence, however, that lower elevations, from Castle Rock to Woodburn, Ore., would see much accumulation.
Any white mayhem was expected to begin after midnight, with anywhere from a repeat of Friday night’s dusting to 6 inches of snow possible. Check www.columbian.com for an update on the forecast.
Higher elevations, above 500 feet, and areas in north Clark County were more likely to receive accumulating snow. That lets most of the populous area of the county out; the elevation at Pearson Field in Vancouver is only 20 feet above sea level, and the top of Vancouver Heights is at less than 200 feet. At Battle Ground, the elevation is about 300 feet.
But there are no guarantees.
“This scenario may result in widely varying accumulations ranging from no snow to several inches, even at the same elevation,” according to the weather service.
If and where it does occur, heavy and wet snow may cause broken tree limbs and downed power lines, increasing chances for power outages. Officials warned that drivers should prepare for dangerous road conditions. If your power goes out, call Clark Public Utilities at 360-992-8000.
If it doesn’t snow at your house, it will rain. The weather service has also issued a flood watch for the Portland metro area. Monday’s heavy rain and any rain Tuesday may cause ponding on roads and flooding along small streams. Rainfall totals at lower elevations were predicted to reach 1 to 4 inches. No rivers in Clark County were listed among those of greatest concern. The flood watch is in effect until late Tuesday night.
School closures
Following the weekend’s snowfall, many school districts decided to close Monday or open two hours late.
School was canceled for Camas, Green Mountain, La Center and Washougal. Battle Ground closed its northern schools and delayed the start of the school day elsewhere. The Hockinson School District opened two hours late. Seven private and charter schools in the area also started late. For Tuesday’s closures, check www.columbian.com.
Camas received the most snowfall this weekend, about 8 inches, but emergency responders said Saturday that there were not many crashes for a snow day, and many families went outside to play in the melting snow.
