Continuous updates: West Seattle snow

FINAL ADDITION, 9:25 PM: WSB contributing photographer Matt Durham captured two classic images today at Fairmount Park, images of the snow inspiring pure enjoyment: First, 14-year-old Cecilia Silva, trying to catch snowflakes on her tongue as the flurries began:

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Second, a Brittany Spaniel romping on the Fairmount field:

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(Prints of Matt’s WSB photos and his other work are available through his site, MattDurhamPhotography.com.)

TWELFTH REPORT, 5 PM: The weather service’s latest “forecast discussion” says we should see a few more hours of light snow before something resembling rain moves in. And we have another round of photos — first one is from Jana in Upper Fauntleroy, verifying our report that Vashon was coming back into view before nightfall – following three are from Adam, showing Whale Tail Park, activity at Alki Playfield, and sand covered with snow at Alki Beach:

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ELEVENTH REPORT, 4:09 PM: Might be some hope it’s slowing down – looking west over the Sound, Vashon is visible for the first time in more than 2 hours. Meantime, more photos: First, a WSB photo of Santa Claus himself dancing in the snow with a Hi-Yu Princess at Hometown Holidays HQ, where we will be attending the Christmas Tree Lighting tonight (ceremony starts @ 6, Dickens Carolers @ 5:30) come h**l or high water … er … snow; second one is from Britnie along California Ave, also in The Junction; third one is from Andrew in Gatewood, same spot where he photographed Zoe enjoying the first few flakes earlier (scroll way down on this post for that photo):

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TENTH REPORT, 3:40 PM: Just back from a chilly yet fun round of snowball-throwing – try it if you haven’t already. Thanks to everyone for the continued stream of photos: first, David Hutchinson sends a new view of Alki Ave and the bathhouse; second, Amy from Fauntleroy sends a view she says would normally show the ferry dock:

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NINTH REPORT, 3:10 PM: Snow up here is only falling at flurry speed right now, but from all over West Seattle, we have lots of new pix – three for starters — from top to bottom, we have daPuffin‘s dog Mani in Arbor Heights, barely recognizable under the snow; Eddie‘s photo from just west of The Junction; and Stephen‘s overview of the Hometown Holidays corner:

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EIGHTH REPORT, 2:55 PM: Photo from Creighton on Genesee Hill, where he says it’s “only getting snowier”:

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SEVENTH REPORT, 2:40 PM: Been watching a 911 call at Avalon/Genesee (map); reader report from Alice says it appears to be a vehicle vs. pedestrian collision, and it’s causing traffic trouble, so stay away from that area. Team member who’s down at Morgan Junction Thriftway says the roads are OK down there.

SIXTH REPORT, 2:35 PM: Now the snow is sticking on the road, at least up here. One member of the team just headed down the hill and will be back with a road-conditions report (and Thriftway crowds). Here are two more WSB reader photos — first, Lisa spotted a hummingbird seeking protection from the snow; second, Ashley‘s photo from SW Orchard (Gatewood):

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FIFTH REPORT, 2:20 PM: Two more photos (as the snow intensifies up here again) — first one from David Hutchinson looking out at Alki, second one from Dunsany in Highland Park:

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FOURTH REPORT, 2:10 PM: It’s lightened up a bit on our hill. Meantime, here’s the view Jan sent from Admiral:

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THIRD REPORT, 1:55 PM: Even up here on the highest hills, while it’s sticking on plants and cars, the street is still “bare and wet” – not quite cold enough at this point for anything else (our temp gauge says 35) …

SECOND REPORT, 1:30 PM: Starting to stick. Just got this WSB reader photo from Andrew near 36th/Morgan, captioned “Zoe in the snow” – keep the pix coming, we’ll post ’em all here as a running commentary of WS in the snow:

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FIRST REPORT, 1:07 PM: At least, it’s snowing here in the higher elevations of south West Seattle. Some of these flakes are coin-sized, though not sticking much so far; hard to photograph but here’s an early shot looking down California from Upper Fauntleroy (send your pix as the day goes on!):

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37 Replies to "Continuous updates: West Seattle snow"

  • Tish December 1, 2007 (1:14 pm)

    It’s so pretty! Of course I can say that because I am tucked inside my house with a hot chocolate in hand :)

  • Mr. JT December 1, 2007 (1:15 pm)

    Quick everyone to the grocery store !

  • Jan December 1, 2007 (1:16 pm)

    well, it’s snowing like crazy here in the Admiral District…just seems nice and peaceful and quiet :)

  • Jan December 1, 2007 (1:21 pm)

    lol..JT…luckily I live across the street from Admiral Safeway…and down the street from Met Market…panic? never :)

  • daPuffin December 1, 2007 (1:27 pm)

    When I lived in Baltimore, at the first sight of white flakes, folks would empty the grocery store shelves of the “holy trinity” of milk, bread and toilet paper. The first make sense, but the third always cracked me up.

  • daPuffin December 1, 2007 (1:28 pm)

    The flakes here are huge! I hope it sticks enough for my dogs to play in it.

  • Hainsworth December 1, 2007 (1:41 pm)

    Just a question about the term “Upper Fauntleroy”: I’ve never heard this one. I always considered the neighborhood where the photo is taken from (looks like the intersection of California & Thistle) to be Gatewood Hill. I’d say the area down the steps to the south of Cloverdale to be Fauntlee Hills, maybe delimited by the area with buried utilities and nice street lamps. Barton St.? The rest is just Fauntleroy. Does Upper Fauntleroy really exist? What do you think?

  • Sue December 1, 2007 (1:41 pm)

    One heck of a snow coming down in the Alaska Junction vicinity. It’s starting to stick on the sidewalk and on Fauntleroy (at Dawson) from what I can see from the window, as well as coating my back deck quite nicely. I had just been headed out for lunch when it started, and when it started to get heavy I decided to abort the eat-out lunch and just grab some quiche from Shoofly instead to bring home.
    I was out buying groceries this morning (not panic shopping, it’s just Saturday and I need food :) ) and was surprised to see it not filled with panic shoppers at Trader Joe’s or QFC or Thirftway, the 3 places I was. I bet they’re crazed now though. :)

  • Jan December 1, 2007 (1:48 pm)

    Admiral Safeway parking lot, at least the part that I can see….is packed – lol…oh, well…

  • WSB December 1, 2007 (1:53 pm)

    Hainsworth, we took the term from various real-estate descriptions and it makes sense in terms of clarifying the difference between blufftop Fauntleroy (if you look at the city neighborhood delineation map, Thistle is considered to be the line between Gatewood and Fauntleroy) and Fauntleroy down around the ferry dock. Like North Admiral vs. South Admiral, and all that.

  • CO Transplant in WS December 1, 2007 (1:59 pm)

    This is great! The weather feels like home, and the city’s reaction is really fun to watch.

  • djake December 1, 2007 (2:21 pm)

    being from the snow belt regions of the Northeast, we were always amused by the rush on grocery stores to buy milk, bread, and eggs. Gotta figure that there were some pretty mean french toast partys going on

  • Jan December 1, 2007 (2:46 pm)

    well, as of 2:40pm, it’s really coming down now in the Adm. District…everything is white now. Hot chocolate? How about a nice tall singlemalt scotch on the rocks in front of the fire…hehehe.

    CO Transplant…it’s panic city here when it snows more than an inch. This is the perfect time to appreciate this. No work to get to, no schools to close, no rush hour to deal with. Just hang out and enjoy it…it’ll be gone tomorrow..couldn’t ask for more :)

  • jb December 1, 2007 (2:57 pm)

    my husband just called from Costco. he said that everyone in Western Washington is there.

  • Cy December 1, 2007 (3:04 pm)

    What perfect Saturday afternoon timing for the snow! No complaining about the rush hour traffic snarl, or the mess getting to work. Just people happy to see the white stuff and getting into the holiday mood. Or is that just that I’m paying attention to West Seattle people – the coolest people in Seattle?

  • hopey December 1, 2007 (3:21 pm)

    Hey CO Transplant — if this is your first Seattle snow, be careful! It’s nothing like the snow you’re used to driving in. I found that out the hard way the first time I tried to drive in a Seattle snowstorm. “Oh, it’s just an inch of snow, I can handle it!” Not this super-saturated icy slurpee snow. I crashed my car and did $1,000 damage.

    — Chicago Transplant in WS

  • Adam on Alki December 1, 2007 (3:29 pm)

    It is sticking like CRAZY nuts down here on the ‘Ki. Whale Tail is a really gorgeous site. There has been a group of about 20 guys playing flag football since around 1:00 and they are still trooping on! It is very cold. I will stay inside for a bit.

  • Sue December 1, 2007 (3:44 pm)

    I’m with you, hopey. I’m from NYC and know how to drive in snow and ice. I’ve lived through many a nor’easter and the accompanying 2 foot snow storms. But I’ll admit I’m terrified of it here, even if it’s “just a little bit” of snow. Between the hills and the people that think they’re invincible (who *don’t* know how to drive in snow), it’s frightening. I headed home once the snow began because I don’t want to be involved in other people’s stupidity. My livingroom looks out on Fauntleroy, just south of Alaska. The road is covered in slush, and they’re blowing through at 40+mph like they usually do (and no headlights). Scary.
    As for the grocery rush in NY, I think it was pretty much milk, bread, eggs, bottled water and toilet paper there. I guess TP makes sense, since if you’re trapped in the house you wouldn’t want to have no toilet paper. :) There was always a mad dash for ice melter and shovels too. Last week we went looking for a snow shovel since our shovel broke last year, and they looked at us like we were crazy for buying one when it was so nice out. Better to be prepared before the storms hit.

  • Katherine December 1, 2007 (4:16 pm)

    New neighbors moving in across the street here. What a day to have to move!

  • CO Transplant in WS December 1, 2007 (4:16 pm)

    Jan, I agree that it’s worth enjoying.

    Hopey, thanks for the heads up. Duly noted.

  • The Velvet Bulldog December 1, 2007 (4:29 pm)

    Because I’ve lived here my whole life, I’m letting my friend from Montana drive when we go out tonight!!

  • Adam on Alki December 1, 2007 (4:32 pm)

    I hope that Shadowlands get buisness tonight. Tough opening weekend if everyone stays inside…

  • grr December 1, 2007 (4:41 pm)

    why does California Ave become a racetrack when it snows??? I’ll risk getting -another- ticket for having 2 INCHES of the rear of my car intrude on the sidewalk instead of leaving it on the street to become a target. Maybe all the parking patrols are stuck in the snow.

  • Barbara December 1, 2007 (5:21 pm)

    I’ve lived from Colorado to the East Coast and this is a different type of snow, it’s wet and slushy and cold so then it gets icy, plus the hills and the narrow driving areas in residential areas it is a challenge. I just drove up from Tacoma from work and down there no snow just wet, I get up here and it’s slushy and slick.

  • Adam Dorsey December 1, 2007 (6:08 pm)

    Hey, I put together a quick video of the snow today, filmed outside my apartment at the Admiral Junction. You can find it at the following address, hope you like it:

  • Adam Dorsey December 1, 2007 (6:09 pm)

    oh, here’s the address: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzQ82wBPHOU

  • Gina December 1, 2007 (7:00 pm)

    Stopped by the M St. Market downtown on the way home from work. Long lines of people with six packs. Downtown people worry that the beer truck will get stuck.

  • Jan December 1, 2007 (7:40 pm)

    hehehe…Gina…that’s hilarious….

  • Lou's Wife December 1, 2007 (7:42 pm)

    What a fun day. Drinking wine, decorating the tree and watching the snow. Snowball fights (why is my husband’s aim so much better than mine). Our two year old loved it and threw a little fit when it was time to come inside – but he was frozen and needed a break. Too bad it will all melt tonight.

  • Michell December 1, 2007 (8:50 pm)

    just back from Shadowland…packed for the last couple of hours. Had a pricey rib eye steak with chanterelle and cipprolini oinions – delicious! hubby had mac-n-cheese and saled and his was great too. overall – we’d do it again. and again and again. well at least when we have a sitter…

  • Jan December 1, 2007 (8:52 pm)

    Dear Lou’s Wife….that sounds like so much fun. Yes, I am sad that the rain has come already, too. I was hoping that it would last until at least tomorrow afternoon. Glad that you had such a fun day…:)

  • jrd December 1, 2007 (11:58 pm)

    Seattle drivers = “I know how to drive in the snow! I’ve done it at least 12 times!”

    I took my driving test east of the mountains the year it dumped 5 feet in a week. Seattle drivers all think they can drive in the snow. “Get stuck? Just hit the accelerator a bunch and you’ll get free!”

    Although, have to give some credit – we have no snowplows, we have no de-icing agent to put on before the snow, and we have hills. Lots of hills. Just…Seattlelites, accept (PLEASE) the fact that you really DON’T know how to drive in the snow. Don’t try and showoff the skills you think you have.

    It’s not thunderdome out there when there’s a trace-2 inches on the ground.

  • Jan December 2, 2007 (1:43 am)

    snow on the ground? I’m home, car parked securely in a carport…you don’t EVEN want me on the road when it’s slick out there….another good reason why I work at home :)

  • The Velvet Bulldog December 2, 2007 (7:40 am)

    Hi jrd–I’m not sure why your Seattle Drivers comments irked me, but they did. I posted earlier about being a Seattle native and recognizing my own snow-driving limitations. We do have lots of snow-driving challenges here in our fair city, and a lack of experience is certainly one of them. However, despite your experiences, not painting all Seattleites with the same broad brush acknowledges that the conscientious among us take extra care when conditions demand it.

  • Elikapeka December 2, 2007 (12:53 pm)

    Being another CO transplant, the wet, slushy snow and the terrain make snow driving a challenge here, even for those of us who learned to drive in the stuff, not to mention the lack of de-icing and snow removal. And all cars are NOT created equal when it comes to hills and slush. You’ve got to know your vehicle’s limitations.

  • Daisy December 14, 2008 (9:23 am)

    Yo West Seattlites! I keep reading complaints about people who “don’t know how to drive in snow”…. Any advice on where to go to find out HOW? :) The news & DOT sites are not too clear on specifics. When is it most dangerous to drive? When do cars need chains (and when do they not)? At what point is the driving alert considered to have cleared up? (i.e., When the snow has melted? When it turns to slush? When it rains?) Are there any good websites with instructions on what to be particularly cautious of? I would really appreciate any resources so that when I DO have to drive, I am not causing catastrophe to myself and the rest of the community. :)

  • WSB December 14, 2008 (9:38 am)

    Daisy – This is a 2007 report – join us in our current coverage – as of this writing Sunday morning 12/14/08:
    https://westseattleblog.com/blog/?p=12638

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