The Latest: Winter weather hits Hawaii, too
HONOLULU (AP) — The Latest on winter weather in parts of the U.S. (all times local):
8 p.m. Residents of the Pacific Northwest took to neighborhood hills with skis, sleds or even just laundry baskets Saturday to celebrate an unusual dump of snow in a region more accustomed to winter rain.
Some areas received more than a foot of snow, and meteorologists say more is on the way early next week. Hundreds of flights were canceled in Seattle and Portland, and heavy snow drifts closed major highways in eastern Washington. Around 50,000 people lost power.
Residents cleared out grocery store shelves and left work early Friday afternoon as the storm arrived. More than a foot of snow (30.5 cm) was recorded by Saturday morning in some areas, including on the Olympic Peninsula, in the nation’s latest bout of winter weather.
___
11:15 a.m.
As a snowstorm paralyzes much of the Pacific Northwest, officials are warning about severe surf and winds in Hawaii as a winter storm hits that state.
The National Weather Service said gusts hit 40 mph (64 kph) in some areas, and authorities said residents on the islands’ north shores should be prepared for coastal flooding. Hawaii News Now reported that the surf was forecast to top out at 60 feet (18 meters) on Sunday. Residents on Oahu’s North Shore were told to be ready to evacuate
A 66-year-old California man died after getting stuck in rough ocean conditions in Napili Bay, off northwest Maui, on Friday. Rescuers brought him to shore and unsuccessfully performed CPR. The man’s identity was not immediately released.
___
10:30 a.m.
Residents of the Northwest are dealing with a heavy snowfall, and meteorologists say more is likely on the way.
About 200 flights were canceled at Seattle-Tacoma and Portland international airports Saturday, roughly matching the number of Friday cancellations. Severe snow drifts shut down Interstate 90 and other roads in central Washington.
More than a foot of snow (30.5 cm) was recorded in some areas, including on the Olympic Peninsula.
In Seattle, where such snow is a rarity, residents cleared out grocery store shelves and left work early Friday afternoon as the storm arrived.
The National Weather Service said a storm warning remained in effect, with an additional 1 to 3 inches (2.5 to 7.6 cm) possible on Saturday and another storm in the forecast early next week.