Monday commuters to face icy roads across Puget Sound region
Freezing temperatures have settled in over Western Washington after a day of several inches of snow for most locations, creating an ice rink for commuters on Monday morning.
Winter Storm Warnings for the greater Seattle area and Winter Storm Advisories for the whole of Western Washington expired at 3 p.m. However, a Wind Chill Advisory and Wind Advisory are in effect for Bellingham and western Skagit County until Monday morning.
Check the traffic cams
Mountain pass webcams
Temperatures into the teens
Temperatures will dip not just in Whatcom and Skagit Counties, but across the whole region, according to forecasters. Expect low to mid-30s for the highs and teens to low 20s for the lows.
“No snow melting here for the next two to three days, probably,” Seattle meteorologist Michael Snyder, who runs SeattleWXGuy on Twitter, told KIRO Radio.
Snyder said it’s pretty unusual for the Puget Sound region to see temperatures in the teens.
“The last time we were in the mid-teens was in 2010. And in 2008, we did it once there, too,” he said “It’s getting more and more rare for the Puget Sound.”
There’s a chance of snow again at least through Wednesday. Temperatures warm up again on Thursday with rain in the forecast, only to dip back into the 20s and 30s into Friday.
Photos: Seahawks’ Lumen Field blanketed in snow for Bears game
Snyder said that arctic air masses like to arrive in pairs, a lot of times.
The National Weather Service reports the following snow totals for Dec. 26th:
Seattle – 6 ” as of 8:20 a.m.
Arlington – 7.5″ as of 8:15 a.m.
Bellingham – 7″ as of 7:00 a.m.
Bremerton – 5″ as of 8:30 a.m.
Anacortes – 5″ as of 7:30 a.m.
Bainbridge Island – 4″ as of 9:50 a.m.
Everett – 4″ as of 8:45 a.m.
Federal Way – 3″ as of 7:15 a.m.
Olympia – 1.8″ as of 9:00 a.m.
Poulsbo – 1.6″ as of 6:00 a.m.
Tacoma – 0.5″ as of 7:00 a.m.
Port Angeles – 16″ as of 7:00 a.m.
Mount Vernon – 12″ as of 8:40 a.m.
Find more snow totals here
Travel and transportation
Sea-Tac Airport says de-icing is underway.
Crews with the Washington State Ferries are busy keeping loading ramps clear, but remind travelers that every terminal has snow.
Find snow plow routes in King County
Snow plow routes in Snohomish County
Snow plow routes in Pierce County
Emergency in Seattle
Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan signed an emergency proclamation on Friday in anticipation of the snow and freezing temperatures.
“After a year of unprecedented challenges, Seattle is facing a long duration of dangerously cold temperatures and snow. At the City, our city employees are starting 24/7 shifts to prepare for ice, snow, and freezing temperatures. For this winter weather emergency, our crews and employees are available to keep our community safe and warm, but if you don’t need to travel or gather, please don’t as we’re facing dual emergencies of COVID-19 and freezing temperatures,” Mayor Durkan said in a written release.
In addition to two previously announced shelters and warming centers, the city is opening centers at Seattle City Hall, International District/Chinatown Community Center, Magnuson Building #406, Northgate Community Center, and Rainier Beach Community Center.
Find an update on city operations here.
