Heavy Snowfall Forces Area School Closures

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Snow Day 2016
Snowplows clear away several inches of snow from the parking lot of Hermiston High School Friday morning. Classes around the area were canceled due to the snowfall.

Several inches of snow fell in the Hermiston area Thursday forcing area schools to close and the National Weather Service is forecasting more snow in the coming days.

School districts around the region closed for the day including Hermiston, Umatilla, Stanfield, and Pendleton, as well as Blue Mountain Community College campuses in Hermiston and Pendleton.

Hermiston High School experienced a water main break in one of the school’s wings on Thursday, forcing an early closure of the school and canceling classes on Friday, even before the heavy snow fell.

According to the Hermiston School District, a “major water break in the 92 wing of HHS,” occurred early Thursday afternoon. Freezing temperatures was the cause of the break, according to the district.

More snow is on its way today, though the weather service expects less than an inch of new snow. Temperatures are expected to hover around 26-27 degrees throughout the day and night.

Snow will turn to rain over the weekend as temperatures climb to the mid-30s and low-40s on Saturday and Sunday. Snow could return by Monday as temperatures fall once again.

Wind chill could be a factor over the weekend as winds are expected to reach 14-17 mph.

By Tuesday, the sun should begin shining even as the temperature settles back into the low- to mid-20s.

For more detailed information, visit the National Weather Service website.