Video: Next round of snow underway

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SEATTLE - Early spring snowfall Thursday morning caused problems in some areas of Western Washington, and we're not out of the woods yet.

The National Weather Service has issued a heavy snow warning in effect from 10 p.m. Thursday to noon Friday.

Rain and snow showers will transition to snow overnight in Grays Harbor County, Lower Chehalis and the Hood Canal area, lasting into Friday morning.

KING 5 Meteorologist Rich Marriott said scattered showers will switch from rain to wet snow showers Thursday evening. Then a more organized system will bring in a better chance of widespread show.

Some time after 5 a.m. Friday, snow will spread up from the south over the remainder of the Puget Sound area. The Vancouver-Portland areas will see some snow as well.

"The heaviest accumulations along Hood Canal and South Kitsap Peninsula, where they could receive 4-6 inches," said Marriott.

The Seattle-Tacoma-Everett areas could see a trace to 2 inches.

"Basically it will be more spotty as you go north," said Marriott.

By early afternoon Friday, showers will fall in the form of rain, but a convergence zone may form early in the evening Friday, producing additional snowfall north of Seattle.

A few showers will linger over the weekend, and there could be some icy roads in some locations on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

But, says Marriott, "Spring arrives on Monday with sunshine and highs near 50."

Slick conditions Thursday morning

KING

Roads were slick in many areas of Western Washington.

While driving conditions appeared to be normal in King and Snohomish counties, icy conditions caused a mess in south King and Pierce counties. Some 13 accidents around the South Sound caused headaches for drivers. At least five were reported on Interstate 5 in Federal Way, where northbound traffic was backed up all the way to Tacoma.

A 61-year-old woman, driving on eastbound Highway 18 in Auburn, lost control of her car and slammed into a state trooper's patrol car. She was killed on impact. The trooper, who was away from his car, was uninjured. All eastbound lanes of Highway 18 at Auburn-Black Diamond Road were closed during the crash investigation.

About 2 to 3 inches of snow fell Wednesday evening in the South Sound, with a light dusting early Thursday.

Due to the predicted snow, the Transportation departments in both Washington and Oregon have extended the deadline for studded tires. In a coordinated effort with Oregon's Department of Transportation, the last day to legally use studded tires this season in both states is Sat., April 5.

Eastern Washington

Another early spring storm system is on the way and will bring accumulating snow Friday through Saturday.

Heavy snow and gusting winds caused school delays and tied up traffic in Eastern Washington Thursday morning.

The Washington State Patrol reopened Highway 195 after it was closed for 4 hours south of Pullman because several semi-trucks jackknifed in ice and snow. Several Palouse region school districts started classes late.

April Wright

Primrose shivers in Olympia snow.

The Weather Service said a record was set in Davenport, west of Spokane, where 3.4 inches of snow fell in 24 hours. That breaks the previous record of 1.5 inches set in 1985.

Avista Utilities reported power outages to about 400 customers in Davenport and Colville.

Protect your spring plants

The snow and cold may be causing some worry for those who just put big bucks into their landscaping, but there are precautions gardeners can take.

Doug Berard, who is in charge of Home Depot plant buying for all of the Puget Sound area, says to protect perennials and annuals, cover them with a clear polyethylene sheet.

"That serves the purpose to keep chill off," he said.

For shrubs and bushes, Berard says use mulch and, believe it or not, lots of water.