(TOPLINES: Snow started 2 am … most schools closed, listed here … no trash [etc.] pickup today … non-school closures/changes listed here (including 3 meetings canceled for tonight) … Metro on snow routes, with some cancellations)
(Latest bridge and Viaduct views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
6:07 AM: As noted in our overnight coverage, the snow began to fall around 2 am. No big flakes, though, so it hasn’t piled up in a big way. Most schools have announced they’re closed – here’s the official list – we’ll be compiling a list of any other closures there are to report (facilities, businesses, etc.) so please let us know what you’re hearing/seeing. The city is working on the arterials as promised (here’s the tracking map); so far, no major road trouble reported. Metro is continuing on snow routes, with some cancellations – check the list here. Your commute report is appreciated if you have to go in – whether by car, bus, bike, Water Taxi, etc.!
6:43 AM UPDATE: ***No Wednesday trash/recycling/etc. pickup***, the city has announced – if you have Wednesday pickup, put it out tomorrow. In comments, Bob S. notes that while the SDOT map suggests the west leg of Admiral Way is cleared, it doesn’t look that way from where he is – so again, eyewitness commute reports (and when feasible after sunrise, photos) VERY much appreciated, but of course no texting while driving, please!
7:15 AM UPDATE: Went out for a firsthand look. About 2 inches where we are (Upper Fauntleroy/south Gatewood, about 350′ elevation). Non-arterial streets completely snow-covered; arterials have at least one traveled lane. Here’s our look at Thistle/California from just before 7:
Forecast says the winter-storm warning remains up till 8 tonight, AND that it will be windy this afternoon.
7:33 AM UPDATE: Seattle Public Library announces its branches will be open 1-5 pm today. We have started our “other closures/changes” list – find it here – and that’s part of it. Another commute note – Water Taxi running OK, says Charlie via Twitter. (added) And Russ tweeted this photo:
8:05 AM UPDATE: Outside WS, if you get stuck in a pay station/meter spot, you will NOT get ticketed “during snow response,” the city says in response to a WSB commenter’s question we forwarded. We’re headed back out the door for an updated look at nearby streets. P.S. The unstoppable Tilden School (WSB sponsor) says it IS open for those who can get there safely, per Julie Enevoldsen. Also just got a “short-term forecast” from National Weather Service, expecting “moderate snow” to continue in Seattle till at least 10 am.
8:32 AM UPDATE: Could not resist that one – Machel Spence captures a house finch’s bewilderment at the unusual sight. (We’ll be publishing photos today both in ongoing coverage like this and for a separate gallery.) Still no major road troubles aside from some stuck buses – Wildwood in Fauntleroy is the most recent trouble spot mentioned on the scanner – but we just got a tweet suggesting things are worsening as the snow continues; Keith just came back from downtown and says he saw some drivers struggling on the bridge.
9 AM UPDATE: That’s an updated look at the two-arterial turn near WSB HQ, looking north on California as it turns eastward uphill onto Thistle. Snow blowing sideways out of the north here, at least three inches on the ground.
9:21 AM: From Jeff, a shot looking southward at 35th just past Holden. On the business front, we have heard from Mountain to Sound Outfitters (3602 SW Alaska), which has gear not only for whatever ski trip this weather enables, but also for you to get around today – “For everyone stuck in WS, we have gloves, hats, and clothing if people are not prepared of the storm. We also have a dozen pairs of rental snowshoes as well, not to often you get to try it at sea level!” says proprietor Greg Whittaker.
9:54 AM: Ron Zuber on the SW Morgan hill east of Morgan Junction advises avoiding it: “Between California and 35th (it) is a mess. Don’t try it unless you have studs or chains.” (He should know – he is an emergency-preparedness expert. And we thank him for this pic:)
Morgan Community Association, by the way, has canceled tonight’s meeting (rescheduled to January 25th), as has the Delridge Neighborhoods District Council. (Our list of non-school closures/changes keeps getting longer – see it here.)
10:59 AM UPDATE: We’ll keep this story going till about noon, and then switch over to an afternoon report. In comments, there was a question about who’s open for lunch. More restaurants than you might think! We have been monitoring Facebook and Twitter as well as receiving e-mails, and have noted in the comments who’s open, as well as noting on our closures page who’s closed or changed operations. All info welcome – editor@westseattleblog.com, or post a comment. Meantime, if you’re reading this from outside WS and wondering, still snowing but still very fine, and blowing out of the north.
11:13 AM UPDATE: Tonight’s Seattle School Board meeting – which included a key vote on “capacity management” for next year, affecting many West Seattle families – is postponed till next Wednesday. Meantime, the aforementioned lunch discussion (who’s open?) is also happening on the WSB Facebook page – direct link here. Meantime, from Anne at Ventana Construction (WSB sponsor), Morgan Junction:
And a fun photo (while we set up today’s gallery) from Robert Perry – the “Alki Sentry”:
Yes, some people biked in this morning – Seattle Times transportation reporter Mike Lindblom (a West Seattleite and bicyclist) told one rider’s story on seattletimes.com.
1:08 PM NOTE: We have now moved to ongoing afternoon coverage here, and also are adding additional photos (mostly snow fun!) to an ongoing gallery for today, here.
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