The second day of Spring began like it was winter as cold temperatures, wind, rain and snow hit parts of Western Washington Thursday.
While some areas were relatively untouched by the storm, many were caught off guard in Issaquah as hail turned quickly into snow just before 4 p.m. It blanketed the roadways and created a scary situation for drivers as cars spun out and traffic on Issaquah-Hobart Road was stopped.
"It just came out of nowhere," said Rob Dolliver, driver. "You could see all the cars going, they had snow on them and then we just hit it."
I-90 was closed in both directions for several hours. Earlier, State Route 18 was closed through Tiger Mountain due to multiple spin-outs; both directions have since re-opened.
The National Weather Service office in Portland, Ore., confirms a weak tornado packing winds of 65 to 85 mph ripped apart a barn in Hockinson, Wash., near Vancouver. No one was hurt.
An additional band of local snow showers could develop in Skagit County overnight.
"Again, local accumulations of an inch or so of slushy snow will be possible," Renner added. "Expect lows in the low to mid 30's."
