MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Puget Sound region returns to ‘regularly scheduled’ rainy winter weather

Feb 7, 2021, 4:42 PM | Updated: Feb 15, 2021, 5:50 pm

People play in the snow on Feb. 13, 2021, in Seattle. (Photo by David Ryder/Getty Images) People play in the snow amidst persistent snowfall on Feb.13, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by David Ryder/Getty Images) People play in the snow amidst persistent snowfall on Feb. 13, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by David Ryder/Getty Images) A pedestrian helps a driver in a vehicle stuck in the snow on Feb. 13, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by David Ryder/Getty Images) A bus sits stuck in the snow on Feb. 13, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by David Ryder/Getty Images) An iconic pig statue is seen covered with snow at Pike Place Market on Feb. 13, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by David Ryder/Getty Images) A crow sits on a snowy sign at Pike Place Market on Feb. 13, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by David Ryder/Getty Images) A person shovels snow outside of a business on Feb. 13, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by David Ryder/Getty Images) A truck with a snow plow moves through a snowy street on Feb. 13, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by David Ryder/Getty Images) A jogger makes their way across a snowy street on Feb. 13, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by David Ryder/Getty Images) A person runs with a dog along a snowy street on Feb. 13, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by David Ryder/Getty Images) A  jogger makes their way down the middle of a snowy street on Feb.13, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by David Ryder/Getty Images) A person clears snow from a vehicle on Feb. 13, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by David Ryder/Getty Images) A person jogs with a dog along a snowy street on Feb. 13, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by David Ryder/Getty Images) Snow on Queen Anne Ave in February 2021. (Brent Stecker) A car stuck in the snow on Queen Anne Ave in February 2021. (Brent Stecker) Snow on Queen Anne Ave in February 2021. (Brent Stecker) A snow-covered fountain in Queen Anne in February 2021. (Brent Stecker) Snow on Queen Anne Ave. (Brent Stecker) Snow at Kerry Park in Seattle. (Brent Stecker) Snow at Kerry Park in Seattle. (Brent Stecker) Snow at Kerry Park in Seattle. (Brent Stecker) West Queen Anne in the snow. (Brent Stecker) West Queen Anne in the snow. (Brent Stecker) West Queen Anne in the snow. (Brent Stecker) West Queen Anne in the snow. (Brent Stecker) West Queen Anne in the snow. (Brent Stecker) David Rodgers Park in Seattle. (Brent Stecker) David Rodgers Park in Seattle. (Brent Stecker) Snow in Kirkland. (Nicole Jennings/KIRO Radio) Sledding in Kirkland. (Nicole Jennings/KIRO Radio) Cat in the snow in Kirkland. (Nicole Jennings/KIRO Radio) Snow in Kirkland. (Nicole Jennings/KIRO Radio) Snow in Kirkland. (Nicole Jennings/KIRO Radio) Snow in Lynnwood. (User submitted) Snow in Lynnwood, with a USPS driver spotted still delivering mail. (User submitted) Snow in Lynnwood. (User submitted) Snow in Lynnwood. (User submitted) Snow in February 2021. (Randy Foley) Maddie plays in snow in Renton. (Scott Boone) Meydenbauer Bay in snow. (Frank Shiers/KIRO Radio) Snow in Everett. (Hanna Scott/KIRO Radio) Snow in Everett. (Hanna Scott/KIRO Radio) Snow in Everett. (Hanna Scott/KIRO Radio) Playing in the snow. (MyNorthwest photo) Snow in Mukilteo. (MyNorthwest photo) Snow in Mukilteo. (MyNorthwest photo) Snow in Seattle. (Ursula Reutin/KIRO Radio) Pup in snow in Seattle. (Ursula Reutin/KIRO Radio) Snow in Seattle in February 2021. (Ursula Reutin/KIRO Radio) Snow in Seattle's Capitol Hill collapsed outdoor dining tents. (Meili Cady/KIRO Radio) Snow in downtown Seattle. (Meili Cady/KIRO Radio) Snow in downtown Seattle. (Meili Cady/KIRO Radio) Snow in downtown Seattle. (Meili Cady/KIRO Radio) Snow in downtown Seattle. (Meili Cady/KIRO Radio) Snow in Seattle's Capitol Hill. (Meili Cady/KIRO Radio) Snow in Seattle's Capitol Hill collapsed outdoor dining tents. (Meili Cady/KIRO Radio) Snow in downtown Seattle. (Meili Cady/KIRO Radio) Buses stuck in the snow near downtown Seattle. (Meili Cady/KIRO Radio) Snow in Bellevue. (Frank Shiers/KIRO Radio) Snow in Bellevue. (Frank Shiers/KIRO Radio) Snow in Seattle. (Taylor Jacobs) Playing in the snow in Puyallup. (Chelsea's family) Snow in Maple Valley. (Heidi Lowe) Pup in the snow at Angle Lake. (Nina Johnston) Snow in Angle Lake. (Nina Johnston) Snow on a deck in Edmonds. (Tyler Hanberg) Puget Drive in Edmonds was closed on Feb. 13, 2021, for snow. (Andrew Lanier) Snow at Cal Anderson Park. (Meili Cady/KIRO Radio) Snow on Queen Anne. (Brent Stecker) Snow at Green Lake. (Mike Salk) Snow at American Lake. (Randy Foley) Snow at American Lake. (Randy Foley) Snow at American Lake. (Randy Foley) Snow piles up near Green Lake. (Mike Salk) Hummingbird in the snow. (MyNorthwest photo) Snow blanketed the Puget Sound region on Feb. 13, 2021. (MyNorthwest photo) Snow covered cars on Feb. 13, 2021. (MyNorthwest photo) Snow blanketed the Puget Sound on Feb. 13, 2021. (MyNorthwest photo) West Seattle streets in the snow on Feb. 13, 2021. (MyNorthwest photo) A bus stop in the snow on Feb. 13, 2021. (MyNorthwest photo) Cars covered with snow on Feb. 13, 2021, in Seattle. (MyNorthwest photo) Snow blanketed the Puget Sound region on Feb. 13, 2021. (MyNorthwest photo) Snow blanketed the Puget Sound region on Feb. 13, 2021. (MyNorthwest photo) Snow blanketed the Puget Sound region on Feb. 13, 2021. (MyNorthwest photo) Snow covered streets in Seattle on Feb. 13, 2021. (MyNorthwest photo) Snow covered streets in Seattle on Feb. 13, 2021. (MyNorthwest photo) (MyNorthwest photo) Nearly eight inches of snow measured in Seattle early on Feb. 13, 2021. (MyNorthwest photo) Snow at Volunteer Park. (Meili Cady/KIRO Radio) Snow at Volunteer Park. (Meili Cady/KIRO Radio) Pup in the snow. (Tari Brown) Snow outside Groz's window. (Dave Grosby)

After several inches of snow blanketed the Puget Sound region and much of western Washington on Saturday and Sunday, a transition to rain is on tap for the rest of the week.

Temperatures in the area have gradually been warming back up into the low-to-mid 40s in the Seattle area. That will bring what the National Weather Service calls “your regularly scheduled Pacific Northwest winter,” with scattered rain and cloudy skies in the forecast for the bulk of the week through Friday.

While some roads looked better Monday morning, it will take more time to get anywhere with ice and snow still on the ground. Drivers should be extra cautious and slow down, roads are still slick.

The National Weather Service issued a Winter Weather Advisory for most of the I-5 corridor from Bellingham to the Oregon border and east to the Cascades, where there is a Winter Storm Warning in effect into Tuesday. The advisory expired at 10 p.m. Sunday.

In the Puget Sound, Saturday saw the most snow recorded in a single day since the 1960s. As that snow begins to turn to slush on Monday, the concern is no longer about the snow coming down but rather the snow that’s on the ground. There’s potential for urban flooding, and storm drains may be clogged.

The NWS says rain and heavy wet snow may result in water accumulating on roadways, and water may channel through the snow from yards onto roads. There will be an increased risk of hydroplaning in areas of standing and flowing water.

“While other parts of the roads are just wet, other spots are so thick with all this snow,” said Claire Anderson, KIRO 7 TV meteorologist. “Then you also get the ponding. You’re seeing puddles in the sidewalks, people having to dodge all of that. So as we continue to melt and temperatures start to warm, we will continue to see the increased urban flooding potential.”

“We’ll continue to warm these next several days, so get ready for all of your areas to be flooded, if you need to make sure to clear your drains, but urban flooding definitely a possibility around your houses,” Anderson continued. “Some of those side streets are definitely going to be dealing with extra water.”

For those that do have to drive early this week, Snohomish County’s Public Works Department reminds drivers to stay 200 feet behind snow crews, and take care to avoid spray and displaced snow if you must pass. The Washington State Department of Transportation warns that passing a plow is dangerous because you never know what their plow blades could be pushing.

While shoveling your driveway, Snohomish County’s Public Works Department says to pile snow to the left side when you face the house and keep it close to the road — that way, a snowplow won’t push it back into the driveway. Don’t shovel snow into the road as that creates traffic hazards.

Side streets and neighborhood roads especially are still slick with snow and ice, and others are now slick with slush.

“The big thing: standing water is becoming more common, slush on the side streets. Traction is still difficult. If you don’t have to go out, sometimes you’re better off staying put today,” said KIRO 7 TV’s Matthew Smith.

NWS Meteorologist Samantha Borth told KIRO Radio over the weekend if you must drive in winter conditions, take it slow and give yourself extra time. Borth says to leave lots of room between your vehicle and the one in front of you. On slick roadways, avoid stomping on your brake so you don’t go into a slide. If you can find an alternate route around a steep hill, take it.

A helpful reminder on safe driving in winter conditions

In the mountain passes, snow is even more of a problem for drivers. WSDOT had closed US 2 Stevens Pass for avalanche control and clean-up. Around 4 p.m. Monday, I-90 was also closed in both directions between North Bend and Ellensburg after multiple collisions, and concerns over potential avalanches.

 

Seattle officials said earlier in the week that the city is prepared for snow and will prioritize clearing roads to places that are giving COVID-19 vaccinations, as well as major roads and bus routes. Homeowners are responsible for shoveling the sidewalks in front of their homes. Mayor Jenny Durkan even offered a reminder that roads can get slick during severe weather.

“To all the people who have moved here in the last few years, and you think you’re a great driver in the snow: You’re not,” Durkan said.

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