OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK — The National Weather Service issued a special weather statement for those planning to travel into the mountains this weekend.
A front moved into the area Friday night, bringing cold, moist air into the region.
Snow levels could fall below 4,000 feet at times today, the National Weather Service said. Thunderstorms are possible.
Those planning to visit Hurricane Ridge, Mount Baker, Mount Rainier National Park or the Cascades were asked to check weather forecasts before traveling.
Meteorologists urge people planning to backpack, ski, hike or camp in the mountains at Hurricane Ridge, Mount Baker, Mount Rainier National Park or the Cascades to check the forecast specific to their destination before making the trip.
Watermelon snow
SEATTLE — A strange phenomenon is appearing in the mountains of the Pacific Northwest.
KING-TV reports that big, pink ponds are dotting the higher elevations — a result of something called “watermelon snow.”
Robin Kodner, a professor at Western Washington University, says it stems from an algae that turns snow pink at seemingly random times and places.
Watermelon snow is a relatively regular occurrence and has been spotted from Washington to Peru.
Kodner doesn’t think the algae is a huge risk, but she says the situation merits more study.
To that end, she’s giving out kits for “citizen scientists” to collect samples to be analyzed at the university. Get a kit at https://kodnerlab.wordpress.com/.
Teacher workshop
OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK — Teachers can register now for Learning from a Distance, a four-day workshop in Olympic National Park set for Aug. 6-9.
The workshop will be at the NatureBridge campus in the park on the shores of Lake Crescent.
Tuition is $200. The National Park Service will provide free Washington state STEM clock hours and 100 percent tuition reimbursement with course completion and submission of a lesson plan.
Participants will hear from park rangers and researchers, the park said in a news release.
For more information, and to register, go to https://naturebridge.org/olympic/teacher-professional-development. For questions, contact Eva Foster at efoster@naturebridge.org.
PACW buffet luncheon set for Tuesday
PORT ANGELES — The Port Angeles Christian Women’s Connection will host a buffet luncheon at Joshua’s Restaurant & Lounge on Tuesday.
Spots are limited for this event, so staff members advise those interested to make reservations. To place a reservation, call Carol at 360-457-3425.
The event costs $16 and will be held 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the restaurant, 113 Delguzzi Drive.
“Luau PA Style” will be the theme of the event, featuring Hawaiian music and “dressing the world Connie Parker style,” according to a news release.
Mary Barlow, of Renton, will present a speech, “Pass the Oxygen, Please!”
For more information, call Carol.
Deadline extended
The Clallam County Physicians Community Benefit Fund announced it has extended its application deadline for academic scholarships and community grants for medically related fields to Sunday, July 1.
The scholarships and grants will be awarded in 2019.
To be eligible, a student must be a graduate of a Clallam County high school and have been accepted into or be currently enrolled — making satisfactory progress — in a fully accredited professional school in a medically related program.
The goal of community grants is to encourage one-time medically related community projects that will benefit a broad cross-section of the community.
Applications for this program can be obtained by mail, addressed to Clallam County Physicians Community Benefit Fund, P.O. Box 3005, Port Angeles, WA 98362.
