West Seattle, Washington
14 Thursday
(EARLIER COVERAGE: Monday midday/afternoon here … Monday morning here … West Seattle Snow Day photo gallery here …)
6:35 PM: Tonight, along with any new weather-related incidents, we’re focused on looking ahead to tomorrow – weather, schools, and more.
SCHOOLS: We’ve already started a page for Tuesday school info, and will add whatever more we find out. (8:47 PM UPDATE: Seattle, Highline, Vashon all plan late starts)
WEATHER: While the overnight low might dip below freezing, the National Weather Service says:
Some re-freezing of moisture on untreated surfaces is expected tonight, but it will lack the sheet-of-ice quality that a hard freeze would bring.
TRANSIT: Metro says it’s staying on snow routes TFN. (7:51 PM UPDATE: C Line is back on its regular route, Metro says.)
UTILITIES: Only a handful of West Seattleites are still without power, Seattle City Light‘s outage map shows – if you are among them, be sure to contact SCL at 206-684-3000 if you haven’t already … Seattle Public Utilities plans to pick up trash/recycling/etc. on a one-day-delayed basis for the rest of the week.
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9:44 PM UPDATE: The National Weather Service has the snow total – for the past two days, 7.1″ at Sea-Tac Airport, the second-highest February two-day snow total since recordkeeping began in 1945; the record was 9.8″ February 16-17, 1990.
High-school basketball rescheduled for Tuesday: Added to the WSHS games (boys 5 pm, girls 7 pm Tuesday), the Seattle Lutheran HS boys (who have a 16-game win streak) will play at home at 6 pm Tuesday.
Metro buses back to regular routes in this area: Metro says its “South Seattle” zone – which includes West Seattle – is back to regular routing.
(First published 6 pm; updated Tuesday morning)
Now that it’s Monday night, we’re getting some information about schools’ plans for Tuesday, and we’re collecting it all here. Keep in mind this could change if the weather does, so check back – we’ll be updating late into the night and early in the morning.
SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS: 2 hours late, school buses on snow routes, more info here (added 8:41 pm)
HIGHLINE PUBLIC SCHOOLS: 2 hours late Tuesday, no AM preschool, buses on snow routes, no out-of-district transportation – full details on district home page
VASHON SCHOOL DISTRICT: 2.5 hours late, no AM preschool (added 8:34 pm)
HOLY ROSARY SCHOOL: 2 hours late, no morning BASE, no morning preschool (added 8:57 pm)
EXPLORER WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL: “Delayed start, 10 am.” (added 9:08 pm)
OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE SCHOOL: 10:30 am start Tuesday; NO AM EDC & NO AM Preschool – UPDATE TUESDAY MORNING – OLG CLOSED because of unsafe icy conditions
SEATTLE LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL: 10:30 am start Tuesday (added 9:13 pm)
WESTSIDE SCHOOL: “Will open at 10:00 a.m., classes to begin at 10:15 a.m. There will be no Early Care” (added 9:23 pm)
HOPE LUTHERAN SCHOOL: “2-hour late start, no morning extended care or morning half-day preschool program; doors open at 10:15 for 10:30 start” (added 9:23 pm)
A CHILD BECOMES PRESCHOOL: “No AM preschool. Afternoon class will meet as scheduled.” (added 9:51 pm)
COMETA PLAYSCHOOL: “Open tomorrow, regular schedule, 8:45-12:45.” (added 10:29 pm)
LITTLE PILGRIM SCHOOL: “Closed for AM classes only. Afternoon class is open on regular schedule.”
Two individual school notes for Tuesday:
MADISON MIDDLE SCHOOL: Principal Dr. Robert Gary sent a note that today’s tours are canceled.
And from Genesee Hill Elementary, via Twitter:
Details for today: Enrichment classes and Hiawatha after school care are still on and confirmed. School starts at 9:55. @westseattleblog
— Genesee Hill School (@GeneseeHill) February 7, 2017
When your school/district knows its plans, please e-mail or text us – editor@westseattleblog.com or 206-293-6302 – thanks!
(TUESDAY UPDATE: Monday residential customers here will NOT get pickup this week after all)
ORIGINAL MONDAY ANNOUNCEMENT: In case you missed this in our snow updates earlier today, we’re publishing the full announcement separately, since this will affect people long after the snow has melted: Since Seattle Public Utilities couldn’t get trucks out this morning, trash/recycling/etc. pickup will be delayed one day ALL WEEK. Here’s the full announcement:
Due to icy road conditions, there will be no residential or commercial garbage, recycling or food/yard waste pickup in Seattle today—Monday. Contractors will attempt to serve priority commercial locations this afternoon.
Weather and road conditions permitting, garbage, recycling, and food/yard waste service will resume Tuesday, on a revised schedule — with customers scheduled for pickup today (Monday) collected Tuesday. All remaining residential services will be delayed one day this week.
If your materials are not picked up by the end of the following day, please put them out on your next regularly scheduled pickup day. Customers missed this week will be allowed to set out double their normal amount of garbage, recycling and yard waste at no additional charge, on their next scheduled collection day. For service updates, please check seattle.gov/util. Follow SPU on Twitter.
TUESDAY UPDATE: Published here.
(QUICK LINKS: School closures here … Metro bus info here … SDOT ‘where plowed’ etc. map here … More traffic cams/links are here … Seattle Public Utilities solid-waste collection will be delayed a day all week … Library branches closed … Earlier coverage here)
10:53 AM: Picking up from our first round of Monday snow-related updates, we’re launching midday coverage, right in the midst of another snow shower. Above, Tami sent the photo from 48th SW uphill (northeast) of Lowman Beach, where a tree is blocking the road.
Elsewhere, wires are down on some roads, and not always easy to see in the snow, so please be careful if you have to go out:
(Added: Kelly Kirkland’s photo of wire woes in Highland Park)
Ferries are back on schedule on the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route, per WSF. 1,400+ are still without power in eastern West Seattle.
11:59 AM: Looking more like a snow-rain mix here right now, which means even more peril from branches weighed down with heavy, wet snow:
Just a reminder to watch for falling branches when it snows like this. Cc:@westseattleblog pic.twitter.com/tD5yxEnJpS
— Chris Furniss (@chrisfurniss) February 6, 2017
Changes for tonight: Postseason high-school basketball has been postponed. West Seattle High School games are rescheduled to Tuesday (5 pm boys, 7 pm girls).
Addition for today: West Seattle Golf Course is open for sledding until 5 pm. We have sledding photos from other areas in our West Seattle Snow Day photo gallery – and here’s one from Darryl Wolff, taken at popular Westcrest Park in Highland Park:
12:46 PM: Yes, there’s plowing, sanding, salting happening – this SDOT truck went around the corner by WSB HQ:
The midmorning forecast discussion from the National Weather Service says, “From Seattle on south, the air mass will warm enough this afternoon for little or no additional snow accumulation at lower elevations.”
1:30 PM: First, re: the comment discussion about whether the USPS is delivering today – yes, they are, and here’s texted, photographic proof:
Also out on the streets today – SPD, in this case helping with a stalled car on SW Graham (thanks to DD for the photo):
Something NOT happening today: The mobile blood drive in The Junction has been canceled.
Also – be aware that some businesses/agencies are closed. So far, we’ve only received “open” announcements – like this one from West Seattle Autoworks (WSB sponsor):
WSAW’s Todd Ainsworth says, “We’re open, though not at full staff and not all parts suppliers are running…”
More high-school-basketball changes: Tonight’s Seattle Lutheran game also is postponed, as are the WSHS games mentioned earlier.
You’ll want to keep your vehicle well away from snow-laden branches/trees if you can (and be careful what you’re walking under), as we’re seeing the slide-off accelerate as the temperature rises. Meantime, the road’s looking good, so we’re heading out to look around.
2:40 PM: We’ve just been around much of the peninsula, through all three Junctions, through Luna Park and Highland Park, Alki and Admiral, and the big word is: Slush. The main roads are all clear, with dirty slushy snow off to the shoulders.
Highland Park Way hill pic.twitter.com/o3XRb8GG6C
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) February 6, 2017
We’re seeing some sunbreaks, too. (You can see more of our on-the-road photos on the WSB Twitter feed.)
Business updates: Easy Street is closing not only its café at 3 (as usual) but is closing the record store too. … West Seattle Bowl and Highstrike Grill are closing for the day at 4 pm … Conscious Choice Chiropractic, which earlier planned to open at 3, is just staying closed for the day.
3:01 PM UPDATE: Weather note: No more alerts in effect in our area. … Traffic note: Per scanner, tree down in 6500 block of West Marginal Way SW. (We just went through that area about half an hour ago … mostly bare and wet otherwise.)
3:15 PM: Another traffic note, from AG in comments: “18th Av SW blocked by fallen tree at SW Holden.” (If you’re looking for the SDOT traffic cams, here’s our page with the local ones that are currently working.)
Metro has already texted some cancellations for West Seattle runs this afternoon – and buses are still on reroute, going into the pm commute.
3:54 PM: City Light says the east West Seattle power outage is now down to about 500 homes/businesses, after restoring power to another 1,000. A downed tree is to blame, according to their tweet.
(MORE PHOTOS ADDED Monday night)
FIRST ROUND OF PHOTOS, 10:24 AM: Thanks for the photos! Along with what we’ve included in coverage so far, we’re also sharing other scenes of the snowiest day in years. Above, first snowperson of the day, from Bryn in Morgan Junction. Next – from comments on our morning coverage, a photo from Charlestown Hill:
Many more ahead (including more added at 12:40 PM & 3 PM): Read More
(QUICK LINKS: School closures/delays here … Metro bus reroute info here … SDOT ‘where plowed’ etc. map here … More traffic cams/links are here … No Seattle Public Utilities solid-waste collection today … Library branches closed …)
Seriously snowier in the past few hours. At least 2" pic.twitter.com/R8wTMJDr1B
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) February 6, 2017
4:07 AM: The snow has continued in the past few hours and at least 2″ is now on the ground where we are.
4:11 AM: Just announced – Seattle Public Schools CLOSED TODAY:
All Seattle Public Schools will be closed today, Feb 6, due to icy and snowy road conditions. No School today!
— Seattle Schools (@seapubschools) February 6, 2017
4:17 AM: Also just announced – Highline Public Schools CLOSED TODAY. Continuing to update our school-changes list here.
4:30 AM: Here are our usual “live” views from the bridge cameras:
(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
5:06 AM: Big power outage – more than 4,200 homes and businesses. From the City Light map:
Again, we’re updating school closures at a separate link (see the top of this story). We have a bus-info link up there too – Metro has snow routes in effect everywhere and has canceled some trips already.
6:00 AM: The power outage is actually affecting more than 5,100 homes and businesses – same map as above but we noticed it’s actually showing as two outages, 4,200+ and 970+. Still 11 am guesstimate for restoration, but please remember, could be later, could be earlier. (And if you DO have power – charge everything! Snow like this weighs heavy on the lines and we might see more trouble later.)
Meantime, we’re hearing about scattered road trouble on the scanner – a bus got stuck at Olson and 2nd, for example. Thanks in advance if you note a trouble spot and either let us know (text/call 206-293-6302) or post a comment … we’ll only hear it on the scanner if police are involved. Here’s a photo from The Junction, about half an hour ago – chained-up C Line bus:
We’re continuing to update the school-closure list – have just heard from more local independent/parochial schools.
6:46 AM: More non-school closures – All Seattle Public Library branches (thanks, Gina) are closed today, and the downtown branch has a delayed open. Also downtown, Seattle Municipal Court is closed.
Road closure – via scanner, 8800 block of 9th SW is taped off. (Power lines down, we hear.) And thanks again to everyone sharing what they’re seeing.
We’re continuing to get scattered bus-cancellation texts/tweets (sign up for alerts if you haven’t already!) – and Megan just tweeted that “West Seattle buses are packed.” As for the weather outlook – still a chance for more snow before the day’s over. The Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until 4 pm.
7:15 AM: Almost half the people who lost power a few hours ago just got it back.
Meanwhile, it’s starting to get light, so we’ll get a better look at all the snow. If you have to head out – please be careful on hills – via Twitter, CJ shared this look at California SW between Morgan Junction and Gatewood:
Makes for interesting commute @westseattleblog @KSeattleWeather #letitsnow #seattle #westseattle #snow #weather pic.twitter.com/PkqEVUa1AH
— CJ Barker (@cjbarkbark) February 6, 2017
Also via Twitter (where we are also updating at @westseattleblog), Jean-Paul sent views of The Junction:
Alaska Junction in West Seattle! #wasnow @KSeattleWeather @westseattleblog pic.twitter.com/9zGaRSnO1N
— Jean-Paul Willynck (@jwillynck) February 6, 2017
If and when you’re out later having fun, please send those photos too (editor@westseattleblog.com) – we’re hoping to build a gallery.
Couple more notes: Along with Seattle Municipal Court, King County Superior and District Courts are closed today (not in WS but in case you have business there). If you need to go to Sea-Tac Airport, check with the airline first – some cancellations are reported – info and links here. And another transportation note: Boats on the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route are running late.
7:42 AM UPDATE: Just found out after checking on an e-mail inquiry – if you have Seattle Public Utilities trash/recycling/etc. pickup today, NO COLLECTION TODAY – they’re hoping to pick up tomorrow – and that means one-day delay for *everyone* this week, SPU just tweeted. More info on their website soon.
Meantime, here’s our video update from westbound Thistle to northbound California, early-daylight view of the same scene we had at the top of this story:
At least another inch in past couple hours pic.twitter.com/cTdEFPkDvm
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) February 6, 2017
And as for the power outage – still 3,200+ homes/businesses out, with the restoration guesstimate remaining 11-ish (but as mentioned earlier, almost 2,000 got it back much sooner, so hold out hope). Again, this might not be the end of it – so many branches and shrubs are weighed down with snow!
8:15 AM UPDATE: For those wondering about the West Seattle Water Taxi – just got this photo via text, and word that it’s been running just fine all morning:
Another road report from a spot with no camera views – from Randy along Fauntleroy Way SW near Fairmount Park:
West Seattle snow update! Fauntleroy / Findlay @westseattleblog #wawx pic.twitter.com/7Dh9yL6puv
— Randy (@Randay206) February 6, 2017
And if you’re taking the bus … commenters and tweeters all say it’s slow going, with scattered cancellations being reported, so patience is a prerequisite.
Weather update: Still snowing lightly where we are. National Weather Service should have its next “forecast discussion” out within an hour or so, but so far, it’s predicting snow showers will continue.
8:46 AM: We’re in the middle of a pretty good snow shower right now. Definitely going to add to the total out there. From @MetPatrick22 near the city’s highest elevation (that’s Fire Station 37 in the background):
@westseattleblog View looking SW at 35/Holden pic.twitter.com/p63y31eyfn
— Patrick kelly (@MetPatrick22) February 6, 2017
Power outage update – More people have theirs back (thanks for the tips!) – according to the SCL outage map, about 1,400 remain without power.
School update – Still some late announcements. South Seattle College has now changed from delayed to closed for the day; we’ve updated the closure list.
9:31 AM: Also canceled today:
(Added – City Hall photo from Vicki B)
The Seattle City Council‘s briefing and full-council meetings.
Locally, West Seattle Hi-Yu has postponed tonight’s scheduled meeting; new date TBA.
Any business open/closed updates, please let us know about those too, as we will be continuing to update throughout the day – launching a midday update within the next hour or so, after we launch a photo gallery (thanks for all the great photos people are already sending!). We have heard so far from Fresh Flours Bakery in South Delridge – open! – and Kid-Friendly Footwear/Again & Again (4832 California SW; WSB sponsor), “shoveled and open”:
“And we have kids’ mittens, hats, boots and outerwear, new & used. Open till 7,” they report.
10:17 AM UPDATE: We’ve also heard from Conscious Choice Chiropractic – not opening today until 3 pm – and The Bridge, which is open. We’re wrapping up this report now and will be moving to a midday report shortly.
Updates from here are in our Monday midday coverage.
(Scroll down – some schools’ statuses have changed – and we’re continuing to add more)
12:37 AM: We’re creating this separate story to track school changes, so you won’t have to scroll through other snow coverage to find them. So far, two of note:
WESTSIDE SCHOOL – “Open at 10:00 a.m., classes to begin at 10:15 a.m. There will be no Early Care. Administration will watch road conditions and announce a closure as early as possible if warranted.” Later update – CLOSED
VASHON SCHOOL DISTRICT: 2.5 hours late; no AM preschool Later update – CLOSED.
3:58 AM: Also announced:
SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE: “South Seattle College will have a 4 hour delayed start on Monday, February 6. All classes and activities prior to noon are cancelled. Campuses will open at noon.” Later update – CLOSED.
4:11 AM: Just in:
SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS: All schools closed!
4:17 AM: Also just in:
HIGHLINE PUBLIC SCHOOLS: All schools closed! Activities canceled; administrative offices closed.
4:45 AM: We will eventually reorganize this list into CLOSED/DELAYED sections but for now will keep adding one by one as info comes in:
HOPE LUTHERAN SCHOOL: Closed, per text.
KENNEDY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL: Closed.
5:29 AM: More:
VASHON SCHOOL DISTRICT: Now CLOSED
SHOREWOOD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL: Closed
EXPLORER WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL: Closed, activities canceled
SEATTLE LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL: Closed
A CHILD BECOMES PRESCHOOL: Closed
OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE SCHOOL: Closed
5:52 AM: Also just in –
HOLY ROSARY SCHOOL: Closed
HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL: Closed
6:07 AM: Just in –
WEST SEATTLE MONTESSORI: Closed
LITTLE PILGRIM SCHOOL: Closed
6:18 AM: Just heard from:
COMETA PLAYSCHOOL: Closed
THE COVE SCHOOL: Closed
6:51 AM: Also note – UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON (Seattle campus): Closed
8:10 AM: TILDEN SCHOOL is OPEN, as they usually are, even when it snows:
Tilden usually does not take days off for snow. If you feel that you can make it to school safely, please bring your child in. Most of the staff live nearby and can walk or drive to school, even on snowy days. Please make sure your child is dressed in appropriate warm coats, hats, and mittens/gloves, as the kids will have an opportunity for extra outdoor play time in the snow with their friends.”
If you are concerned about ice in the lot, or unsure of driving to school in the snow, please know that there is no expectation on our part that you bring your child in. Your family’s safety is out main concern, and we realize that everyone’s streets, vehicles, and comfort levels are different. Please base your decision about coming to school on what is best (and safest) for you and your family.
ALSO PLEASE NOTE: We will have the parking lot gated off this morning, to preserve the lovely snow for the kids to play in. Please plan to park on the street this morning.
8:36 AM: Update –
SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE: Now CLOSED.
Any others? Text and/or e-mail us, 206-293-6302, editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!
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