(7:56 PM TOPLINES: NOW it’s snowing notably … will start another update soon, adding some visuals below)
3:38 PM: We’re now kicking off our afternoon “snow or no?” coverage. Above, the snowplow that SDOT has “pre-positioned” in West Seattle, parked at 38th/Alaska when we caught up with it a little while ago. SDOT says it’s ready, WSDOT says (for state highways) it’s ready, Metro Transit says it’s ready.
(Refresh for latest pic from WS Bridge camera, looking eastbound, and Junction cam, more on the WSB Traffic cams page)
3:55 PM UPDATE: Here are the school changes we published earlier. West Seattle Little League president Mark Terao just e-mailed to say tonight’s registration session is CANCELED, because of Seattle Public Schools (there’s another session set for next Tuesday, January 18). Seattle Parks, meantime, says community centers and pools are operating **normally** until and unless weather requires a change in that decision. One event cancellation so far: nrg day spa‘s Grand Opening is postponed till Thursday night, during the West Seattle Art Walk.
4:09 PM UPDATE: Weather analyst Cliff Mass is about to release his “nowcast” – but for starters says, “Nothing is happening right now. No need to rush home, or anywhere else.” (Added) It’s out. He says nothing imminent for at least two hours in the metro area:
Bottom line: you don’t have to rush anywhere if you are living in western Washington. No imminent significant snow for next two hours. The satellite suggests a more intense band offshore that would come in during the evening…but can’t be sure. At the same time it is warming aloft as we speak. Stay at work. Enjoy happy hour. WSDOT doesn’t need to be concerned about a rush-hour mess.
4:43 PM UPDATE: Metro is chaining buses, still just as a precaution. One more cancellation: West Seattle Community Orchestras’ rehearsals/meetings tonight.
5:24 PM UPDATE: The weather’s still calm, at least here in the city. A smattering of snow reports elsewhere – such as Bellingham, Whidbey Island, Hoquiam. Forecasters still say we’ll see some, at some point, but are sticking to the “rain by very early morning.”
6:30 PM UPDATE: A few flakes were falling as we left Fauntleroy bound for a meeting in The Junction, but they stopped mid-Gatewood. Keep us posted with what you are seeing – or not seeing – where you are. (added a few minutes later) Via Facebook and Twitter, we’re getting snow reports from most spots around West Seattle – except, so far, at sea level.
7:56 PM UPDATE: Snowing notably in The Junction. Will add a photo in a moment. Will start a new story soon, too.
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