West Seattle snow: Now it’s sticking

(looking toward the SW Thistle stairs to Lincoln Park, west of California SW)
At least up here, and at least it waited till the commute was mostly over. SDOT sent a short blurb to assure you they’re on patrol:

The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) has trucks standing by at various locations around the city including the West Seattle Bridge and the tops of hills, in case they are needed. Last night crews applied deicer to the high level West Seattle Bridge, the Alaskan Way Viaduct, and the Aurora Bridge.

Is it snowing where you are? 9:10 AM UPDATE: Via Facebook (where you can “friend” us as WS Blog), Becky reports that she’s seen one of those city trucks standing by at Westwood Village. While the ground is lightly covered up here at “higher elevations,” the road’s still bare/wet. Forecasters continue to all-but-promise it will turn to rain within a few hours. Here’s the bridge cam (refresh the page for the latest image; you can also see it any time on the WSB Traffic page):

9:45 AM UPDATE: We’re out driving around. Not much at all on the ground/roofs down at sea level, through Morgan Junction and Fairmount Springs. The “snow” itself is more like sleet. 11:33 AM UPDATE: En route back from downtown and it’s rain now … we can definitely declare fleeting snow panic over!

Agen January 27, 2009 (8:47 am)

Sticking about as much down here in Delridge.

JenV January 27, 2009 (8:49 am)

people were driving like complete and total morons before it started sticking. Yippee! Here we go again!

Mr. JT January 27, 2009 (8:51 am)

We’ll know its serious if the Mayor gets a hotel room and Crunican high tails it for Portland with the kids…

JH January 27, 2009 (8:51 am)

What? I’m working in Alaska this week and missing out on all the fun!

toddinwestwood January 27, 2009 (9:03 am)

Westwood QFC is now out of eggs, frozen pizza and beer!!!!!

just kidding

( ducks flying snowballs )

LMA January 27, 2009 (9:09 am)

Drove to work this morning form White Center to Kent not bad, just need to watch out for black ice. I usealy take the private roads to work , but thought those roads are too icey so I took the main roads, figuring that those main roads are used more less likely to have black ice. not realy sure about it but it worked for me and made me feel safer with my choice. Stay warm and drive safe thanks :)

LMA

WS January 27, 2009 (9:12 am)

lol toddinwestwood- isn’t that the truth!!!!

datamuse January 27, 2009 (9:32 am)

No problem with the roads at all, except someone had spun out on 512 going east, slowing traffic. And somebody almost merged into me because they weren’t paying attention and someone else almost rear-ended me, but that’s normal. I don’t think I can blame the snow for it.

Krystal January 27, 2009 (9:32 am)

I hope I see some people with chains on. This never fails, 1/2″ and chains. I think it’s hilarous. And since many don’t know how to put them on right, they are just going to mess up their fender and paint jobs! I am from Eastern Wa, and never ever used chains in my life. This includes being stuck on the passes overnight!

Krystal January 27, 2009 (9:34 am)

@datamuse: You’re right, that just sounds like a normal commute home–we don’t need any snow to have the drivers around here drive questionably!

nuni January 27, 2009 (9:57 am)

Krystal, even with a 1/2 inch of snow sometimes it is very slick and especially if your tires are bald and you have rear wheel drive. It can be incredibly difficult to get around.

JumboJim January 27, 2009 (11:29 am)

I think a large part of the problem with drivers here are the flatlanders from Eastern WA. Given there are few cars over there they don’t get much practice at merging and panic when they come to a hill steeper than Avalon…

glocson January 27, 2009 (11:42 am)

I sure hope my Prius can get to PCC. I want to pick up one of the new tie-dyed cotton grocery bags everyone in my yoga-knitting class is talking about. I’ll burn some sage and meditate on it.

Sorry, comment time is over.