Smile, it's a snow day

Okay, so maybe you did have to go to work or class today...but for many Western Washingtonians, today is a day to relax inside with a cup of hot cococa or journey outside to go sledding. Outlying areas in the Seattle metro area (including Redmond) received at least several inches of snow last night. Many roads are thickly layered over with snow and ice, making travel difficult.

Consequently, the list of school districts and colleges cancelling classes is long, and many employers have told employees not to come in to work today.

If you have to go out today, read over this travel advisory from WSDOT first:

Plow trucks are out in force today to keep up with the snow. Crews were out all night applying anti-icers, and are now putting down de-icer and sand. Daytime crews came in early in many places to assist the night crews.

In the Seattle metro area, crews are focusing on the I-5, I-405 mainline routes, and then will switch to the harder hit secondary routes, like SR 522, SR 525, SR 9 and SR 18.

Metro area mainline routes are looking great for drivers with bare, wet conditions. Outlying routes, especially those in higher elevations like Issaquah and the Tiger Mountain summit, are seeing a more accumulation. Crews are quickly responding these trouble areas. The I-5 Express Lanes have been open in the southbound direction overnight and will be switched to the northbound direction at 11 a.m.

In South Puget Sound, crews are clearing snow and ice from I-5 in Tacoma, SR 512 and outlying areas in Pierce County. The Hood Canal area remains a trouble spot, with daytime crews coming in early to help keep traffic moving.

Crews in Southwest Washington have seen snow on SR 14 near the Oregon border, but metro areas near Vancouver are bare and wet. Outlying areas have been treated with anti-icer and no major incidents are reported at this time.

Extra morning crews are also in WSDOT traffic management centers this morning to assist with the morning commute and keep traffic moving.

Snow will continue on mountain pass highways, with 10-12 inches expected at Snoqualmie Pass tonight. Most of Eastern Washington, still digging out from the weekend snow and freezing rain, will continue to see snow and cold temperatures.

We do need drivers help:

• On ice and snow, take it slow.
• Pay extra attention to bridges, curves and shady spots.
• Stay back from snow-clearing equipment.
• Allow more time to travel.
• Keep a safe driving distance.
• Turn off the cruise control.

A winter storm watch remains in effect all day today. Here's the National Weather Service:

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN SEATTLE HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM WATCH FOR THE LOWLANDS OF WESTERN WASHINGTON...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM THIS EVENING THROUGH LATE TONIGHT.

THE SNOW ADVISORY FOR EVERETT AND VICINITY AND THE SEATTLE- BREMERTON AREA WILL EXPIRE AT 6 AM. SNOW SHOWERS WILL CONTINUE THROUGH 6 AM ACROSS THE NORTHERN TIP OF THE KITSAP PENINSULA AND PARTICULARLY FROM EVERETT DOWN ACROSS NORTH SEATTLE...THEN BEGIN TO TAPER OFF. ANOTHER INCH OF NEW SNOW IS POSSIBLE IN THESE AREAS. FURTHER SOUTH OVER BREMERTON AND SOUTH OF SEATTLE...THE CHANCE OF SHOWERS WILL DECREASE MORE QUICKLY.

FOR TONIGHT...A STRONG FRONTAL SYSTEM WILL MOVE ACROSS WESTERN WASHINGTON TONIGHT THROUGH EARLY TUESDAY MORNING. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT ONE TO FOUR INCHES OF NEW SNOW MAY ACCUMULATE FROM THIS STORM.

AS TYPICAL WITH LOWLAND SNOW IN WESTERN WASHINGTON THERE IS CONSIDERABLE DOUBT ABOUT HOW MUCH SNOW MAY ACCUMULATE. AT THIS TIME...THE AIR MASS IS COLD ENOUGH FOR SNOW...BUT THE INCOMING SYSTEM WILL BRING INCREASING SOUTH WINDS TO THE AREA...WHICH MORE OFTEN THAN NOT WARMS UP THE AIR MASS ENOUGH SO THAT RAIN IS MIXED WITH THE SNOW...OR JUST RAIN FALLS. IF THE LATEST COMPUTER MODELS ARE ACCURATE THEN UP TO 4 INCHES OF NEW SNOW MAY ACCUMULATE BEFORE THE FRONT MOVES EAST AROUND SUNRISE TUESDAY.

Pacific Northwest Portal's Winter Preparedness page has more information about keeping your home in solid condition during freezing and snowy weather.