(SCROLL DOWN for Friday pm updates – traffic trouble, even though the weather’s improved!)

(Photo texted from High Point)

12:46 PM: As we’ve been tracking with your help since early morning, we’ve been seeing the season’s first snow – not really sticking, but seriously showery at times. The National Weather Service has just issued a “special weather statement” saying tomorrow night could bring a few inches of wet snow in the hillier areas around the city. More to come!

(Video tweeted by @cjbarkbark)

1:57 PM: The snow has stopped, at least where we are. But some of it definitely stuck to yards, planting strips, and cars during the noon-hour shower, as we saw when headed back south from The Junction, through Morgan, Gatewood, and Upper Fauntleroy. We’ll be adding afternoon notes here for a while. Such as:

HELPLINE GALA STILL ON: The folks at West Seattle Helpline called and wanted to be sure that everyone knows their Neighbors Helping Neighbors dinner/auction tonight at The Hall at Fauntleroy IS ON – regardless of snow, rain, whatever the weather.

2:20 PM: A few flakes are back. SDOT has in the meantime sent an afternoon update, saying it’s assessed pavement throughout the city, and:

All pavement is currently bare and wet. And while the city is experiencing light to heavy flurries, road temperatures remain above freezing between 35 and 37 degrees. SDOT has deployed large plows and spreader at high elevation areas throughout the city and will continue to evaluate and monitor.

If you see SDOT snow equipment, let us know/send a pic (206-293-6302 – thanks for the other pics and clips too).

3:16 PM: Thanks to Brian for sending that photo – taken at Fauntleroy/Edmunds around noon. Meanwhile, if you are worried about the drive/ride home – no reason to be. We have just traveled south through Westwood, Arbor Heights, and White Center – the snowiest area we saw was SW White Center but even there, nothing on the roads. We do have word of a crash just reported – 35th and Thistle, blocking northbound lanes.

3:58 PM: Heading back north on 35th, the northbound lane is still blocked by a sideways pickup truck. SFD closed out of the call fairly quickly, though, so no serious injuries. No snow or even rain right now, with the cloud layer higher and thinner, so looks like it’ll be an OK drive/ride home.

4:51 PM: Several people have reported being stuck on the westbound bridge. No alerts yet nor crash reports but one camera shows a few vehicles on the shoulder. We’re monitoring.

5:01 PM: This tweet reveals what the problem was:

5:07 PM: Here’s what the backup looks like – Catherine texted this view (thanks!):

5:28 PM: SDOT just sent another update, saying all’s well so far, but it has people and equipment on standby just in case:

•Plows and trucks on standby
•Crews on standby for rush hour throughout the evening
•Night crews staffed (in the event temperatures drop to freezing)