WEST SEATTLE SNOW: Sunday pm updates

1:50 PM: As the snow continues – with wind-chill temperatures in the teens – West Seattle’s only cold-weather shelter is open, at American Legion Post 160 (3618 SW Alaska). This is an all-volunteer effort, no city or other help, and more volunteers are needed – as mentioned here earlier this week. Post commander Keith Hughes, meantime, says if you or someone you know needs somewhere to go, “The warm-up center is open all day, and the Shelter will be open tonight. I have cots, mats, and blankets for up to 16 people.” Meantime, our coverage continues, first with the lists that started our earlier coverage:

ROAD/TRANSIT INFO
-City map of plowed routes, here
-City map of traffic cams, here
-Our page with West Seattle-relevant cams, here
-County map of traffic cams (choose “south” tab for White Center), here
Metro buses are on snow routes – advisories here; Emergency Snow Network activated for Monday
West Seattle Water Taxi CANCELED for the rest of today

SNOW CLOSURES/CANCELLATIONS
West Seattle/Fauntleroy YMCA (closed Monday too)
-All Seattle Public Library branches
Fauntleroy Church worship service (both online and in-person)
City transfer stations (including the nearby one in west South Park)
Junction & Morgan Junction Starbucks closed
-Also closed: Mission Cantina, The Bridge, The Birdhouse, The Westy, Southgate Roller Rink, Marination Ma Kai, West Seattle Bowl, Grillbird Teriyaki, Beveridge Place Pub, Greenbridge Café, Curious Kidstuff, Avalon Glassworks, Meeples Games, Best of Hands Barrelhouse, Lady Jaye, Northwest Art and Frame, Pegasus Books, Head to Toe Day Spa, Supreme, Ma’ono
-Closing early: Whole Foods (5 pm), Westwood QFC (7 pm), Metropolitan Market (8 pm)
-Closed Monday: Senior Center of West Seattle

WEATHER INFO
Special Weather Statement alert now in effect
National Weather Service‘s snow-totals map

Yards are buried – Scott and Maria sent this photo of theirs in Gatewood:

And down at sea level, Sirkka Saboe photographed the Alki Point Lighthouse:

Got a photo or something else to contribute to our coverage? westseattleblog@gmail.com or text 206-293-6302 – thank you! More updates ahead.

2:47 PM: Alki remains the epicenter of storm photos so far. This one’s from Andrew – look at what happened after all those wind-fueled waves crashed over the seawall:

Wherever you are in West Seattle, you’ve probably noticed the snow has all but stopped. The weather advisory has expired, too. Now the cold is the biggest concern – it’s not forecast to get back above freezing until Thursday.

3:19 PM: Thanks for the tips – added to our list above, some early-closure plans. … There’s some fun stuff out there too:

Brandon has done it again: “Softy the Sea Lion 3.0. This year, did it for our son. No tools or shovels. Encourage community to come build their favorite sea animal.” (From our archives, this story contains Softy 2.0!)

4:05 PM: The city has just sent out a long roundup from various departments. We’ll link it here once it’s on the city website; no major news in it that we’re seeing – for example, no word from SPU yet on whether Monday solid-waste pickup is still a go. Otherwise – SDOT says it has 35 “winter-response vehicles” out on the roads. One other note from SDOT – tomorrow (Monday 12/27) “will be treated as a holiday for on-street parking to discourage unnecessary driving during the storm response.” Pay-station on-street spaces will be free, and time limits won’t be enforced. … Also from the city news release, a passage of note:

The online Storm Response Map [linked above] shares real-time information on which roads have been recently plowed. The technology transferring information is not functioning on a few snow-response vehicles at this time and will not be repaired until the storm has passed, so more routes are being treated than shown.

5:04 PM: New weather alert is in effect – a Special Weather Statement about the subfreezing temps, calling the next few days “dangerously cold.” The snow, however, is largely over.

6:21 PM: A few more scenes from today – from Paula Grassell at Lincoln Park:

And from Yazmin Penzien, who says, “What a day! This was like a dream come true for our twin girls.”

6:49 PM: We’ve published this separately, but also noting here – the city has announced there’ll be no solid-waste pickup tomorrow – every pickup day this week will slide at least a day.

7:06 PM: Just in from Metro, they’ll activate the Emergency Snow Network service reduction for Monday. This takes effect at 4 am. Here’s what that means.

9:18 PM: Two more photos before the night’s out – more road-clearing equipment, spotted by Admiral 7-11 this evening:

(Major) new snow is NOT expected overnight, but the roads will be icy, so we’ll be on watch for that early, in case you have to commute. We also have one more fun photo here at night’s end – Eugene‘s son Silas, enjoying the snow:

The official total (measured at Sea-Tac) was just short of three and a half inches.

31 Replies to "WEST SEATTLE SNOW: Sunday pm updates"

  • Bus December 26, 2021 (1:51 pm)

    I would usually point to one or two bus routes that were running a little slow but could otherwise get you where you’re going…  but this time around I think I’ve seen maybe two buses all day.  If you need to get somewhere on the bus, give yourself more time than usual.  

    • Martin December 26, 2021 (6:15 pm)

      Just imagine West Seattle would have a  gondola – reliable transportation up our hills every 10 seconds, neither 4WD truck nor snow routes necessary to get around or catch light rail, train, or airplane.

      • ummm December 26, 2021 (6:56 pm)

        But don’t gondolas close due to high winds?  Seems to me we get high winds a lot more than we get snow…

      • Jason December 26, 2021 (7:01 pm)

        @martin Yes let’s spend hundreds of millions on a transportation service that would get used for 1-2 days a year when there’s snow on the ground. Or people can plan around the weather and we ensure arterials stay open. 

      • Bus December 26, 2021 (7:18 pm)

        I haven’t seen a plan for a gondola that will take someone from Westwood Village to Arbor Heights, so no, I won’t be imagining that.  Buses already DO take us where we want to go, even in inclement weather.  Today was a bad day for service, and not at all the norm for Metro (hence my feeling it was worth a mention).

      • KM December 26, 2021 (9:27 pm)

        Like clockwork, Martin chiming in with his gondola cheerleading. A true poster for our times.

      • SpencerGT December 27, 2021 (4:40 am)

        That is an argument in favor of the gondola, for sure.

  • Terremoto December 26, 2021 (2:00 pm)

    Thank you, WSB, for the scoop! Just returning on train from Portland.  Yikes.

    • T December 26, 2021 (2:38 pm)

      Terremoto, would you be so kind as to tell me how you got back to West Seattle from the train station. I am arriving in the morning.  Thanks in advance.

      • Mellow Kitty December 26, 2021 (2:56 pm)

        Metro Routes 21 or 120 will get you from the train station to West Seattle. Definitely check the snow routes.WSB has the link above. The bus drivers are usually helpful, too, letting you know what stop you need. Safe travels! 

        • T December 26, 2021 (4:07 pm)

          Thanks, I  am just hoping the busses are making it tomorrow.  🤞

  • Flivver December 26, 2021 (2:46 pm)

    Haven’t seen a 50 on Alki all day. Plow came through Alki Ave around noon.

    • NW December 26, 2021 (3:41 pm)

      I have seen fewer than usual which on a Sunday is about every half hour though they are running. 

    • M December 26, 2021 (3:49 pm)

      I saw route 50. The bus was stuck half way up Admiral Way. 

      • Laura December 26, 2021 (8:20 pm)

        Yes it was stuck all day, and it did not look like it had chains on! Anybody know why that is?

        • M December 26, 2021 (10:22 pm)

          It did have chains. They fell off as he was pulling out from the bus stop. That is what he told the tow driver 

  • David December 26, 2021 (2:55 pm)

    So grateful for this coverage!

  • Sweetpea December 26, 2021 (3:20 pm)

    Howdy folks.  Luna was open 8:00-1:00, but had to close early to make sure our employees all got home safely.   Be safe out there! 

  • Jacob Sonnenfeld December 26, 2021 (3:37 pm)

    County map of traffic cams link isn’t working…heads up. Thank you for the coverage!

    • WSB December 26, 2021 (4:02 pm)

      Will check it, was just using it …

  • Flivver December 26, 2021 (3:46 pm)

    With all that sea water coming over how is that for the health of the grass and those big trees west of the bathhouse???

    • ET December 26, 2021 (4:10 pm)

      they do just fine, no worries 

  • lowmanbeachdrive December 26, 2021 (4:19 pm)

    How are the roads? I have 4WD. Would like to get from Lowman Beach to PCC for groceries. 

    • StopCuttingDownTrees December 26, 2021 (5:19 pm)

      I’m driving all over Westwood and lower Arbor Heights with front-wheel and basic, all-season radials with 40,000 miles with zero problems. The snow is very grippy with good adhesion due to this 23-degrees.

  • Cd December 26, 2021 (4:50 pm)

    What are the odds trash will get picked up for Monday customers? Lol. In years past, it was skipped for much less snowfall.

  • HS December 26, 2021 (5:09 pm)

    LA Fitness closed at 4:14pm. Don’t go and find the door locked like I did.

  • Momof3boys December 26, 2021 (5:10 pm)

    Hubby is out dropping off and picking up our kids from work – with 4WD and patience, the roads are OK

  • Amy December 26, 2021 (5:48 pm)

    I thought the Mayor announced last week the libraries would be open as warming centers? 

    • JORT December 27, 2021 (12:56 am)

      Oh no way, Jenny Durkan lied again?! No way!?!??!?!!?

  • KA December 26, 2021 (6:30 pm)

    Has anyone returned to West Seattle from I-5 and through one of the bridge detours? How are those side streets? Deciding whether to stay put or come home.

    • T December 26, 2021 (9:37 pm)

      Same question? Anyone???

Sorry, comment time is over.