Another snowstorm hits Puget Sound
Snow, ice, hail, and freezing temperatures combined to create a difficult commute for residents around Puget Sound this evening. Colleges and school districts are already announcing they'll be closed tomorrow (see an updated list). In the neighborhood where NPI is headquartered, the snow is already several inches deep.
Much of State Route 520, which links Seattle with Redmond, was a parking lot earlier this evening... in both directions. Traffic was also jammed on I-90, I-5, I-405, and other major highways for miles. The Washington State Patrol's forces have been strained attempting to respond to all the accidents.
WSDOT has more than 200 trucks on the road in Western Washington, manned by 200+ personnel working the storm. Equipment includes snow plows, sanders, dump trucks, graders and deicers. All onramp meters have been temporarily deactivated. King County is also putting their crews to work:
Pacific NW Portal's weather partner AccuWeather reports that the low tonight will be 24°F (RealFeel®: 26°F). It'll be partly cloudy and cold. Anything that is wet will be a slick sheet of ice tomorrow morning. If you have to go out, put chains on your vehicle. If you can, just stay at home.
Pacific NW Portal's Winter Weather Preparedness section has advice on how to prepare your home and vehicles for cold, icy, snowy, and windy weather.
Much of State Route 520, which links Seattle with Redmond, was a parking lot earlier this evening... in both directions. Traffic was also jammed on I-90, I-5, I-405, and other major highways for miles. The Washington State Patrol's forces have been strained attempting to respond to all the accidents.
WSDOT has more than 200 trucks on the road in Western Washington, manned by 200+ personnel working the storm. Equipment includes snow plows, sanders, dump trucks, graders and deicers. All onramp meters have been temporarily deactivated. King County is also putting their crews to work:
More than 120 road workers will be out through the night plowing and sanding, as necessary. But the division strongly advises motorists to monitor weather reports and road conditions before they plan to travel. If conditions remain hazardous, they should consider postponing their travel if at all possible.It is still snowing in some areas, although most of the showers have tapered off. Temperatures are expected to drop into the twenties tonight.
Pacific NW Portal's weather partner AccuWeather reports that the low tonight will be 24°F (RealFeel®: 26°F). It'll be partly cloudy and cold. Anything that is wet will be a slick sheet of ice tomorrow morning. If you have to go out, put chains on your vehicle. If you can, just stay at home.
Pacific NW Portal's Winter Weather Preparedness section has advice on how to prepare your home and vehicles for cold, icy, snowy, and windy weather.
