– 11:45 a.m. Thursday update —
A National Weather Service Winter Weather Warning is still in effect through Friday for the Methow Valley. As of Thursday morning, the NWS was predicting additional accumulations of 2 to 4 inches in the lower Methow Valley and 3 to 7 inches of new snow for Mazama.
Winds could also gust as high as 35 miles per hour.
Meanwhile, Stevens and Snoqualmie passes could get another 31 inches of snow above 1,500 feet in elevation. The eastern part of Okanogan County is the subject of a Hazardous Weather Outlook from the NWS, predicting continued snow and ice accumulations.
— 10:30 a.m. Thursday —
After nearly two feet of snow fell overnight over much of the Methow Valley and North Central Washington, a number of organizations have announced closures for the day.
North Central Libraries branches in Chelan, Douglas, Grant, Okanogan and Ferry counties were all closed Thursday. Online materials are still available at www.ncw.libraries.org.
The Cove also announced it would not open for its normal Thursday food bank distribution, reporting 20 inches of snowfall at its Twisp location. For a food emergency, call (509) 997-0227
Room One also announced staff would take their “first snow day ever” but encouraged clients to call (509) 997-2050, which has a confidential voicemail, and expect a call back Friday or later.
Methow Valley School District canceled all classes and after school activities Thursday.
Methow Recycles closed its Twisp facility.
The Northwest Avalanche Center issued a warning for avalanches at all elevations in the cascades.
Many of the major roads in the Methow were plowed by mid-morning Thursday, but residential and side streets were still barely passable for vehicles.
Check back in at methowvalleynews.com and our Facebook page for more information throughout the day.
