WEATHER, TRAFFIC, TRANSIT UPDATES: Snow arrives mid-morning, after not-so-snowy start to the day

(We’re updating this story through the noon hour and will switch over to afternoon coverage after that – scroll down for updates)

9:44 AM: Thanks to Debra Salazar Herbst for the tip and photo from Alki – it’s snowing in north West Seattle.

Here’s the “live” image from the California/Admiral traffic cam:

9:59 AM: And now it’s turning to mostly snow here on the Gatewood/Upper Fauntleroy line.

10:19 AM: Metro says all buses are now on snow routing.

10:32 AM: SDOT is out – we’ve heard a plow truck just around our corner, and the SDOT Winter Weather Response map verifies where they’ve been most recently. Reminder if you’re new, they don’t plow side streets – just pre-designated main routes (also outlined on the map, as well as here). Meantime, Caity Gerhardt sent this photo from Highland Park:

Photos always welcome – westseattleblog@gmail.com or text 206-293-6302 – thank you! … Traffic report: 35th/Hudson treacherous, per SPD dispatch saying SFD is asking SDOT for plow attention there.

11:01 AM: Thanks for the photos from Sylvan Way, where things are bollixed right now, with a stuck trash/recycling truck among other problems. The photo above is from Sam, who’s trying to get to her Junction shop Fleurt to open it for the day but is stuck on Sylvan. … Where we are, the snow has stopped for now, so perhaps SDOT will be able to catch up with trouble spots soon.

11:17 AM: Texter reports that “Highland Park hill is super-icy and several cars pulled over, having to turn around. Several cars are stalled on the hill as well.” … Update from Sam on Sylvan Way: “The truck driver stuck in the ditch has been directing traffic. Sylvan Way is down to 1 lane, somewhat passable right now when people drive on the curb,” though it’s still “really backed up.”

11:29 AM: Update from Sam – SDOT sanded Sylvan and pushed the dump truck out – both lanes now open. … Weather update: NWS has now shortened the Winter Weather Advisory to expire at 2 pm, so they’re not expecting much more snow. … Our Highland Park Way tipster says the hill’s just been closed and that a solid-waste truck’s stuck there.

12 PM: Kersti Muul reports a truck vs. pole crash at 47th/Admiral.

12:25 PM: As published separately, SPU has now announced solid-waste pickup is a day delayed this week. Also: Community School of West Seattle is closing and asking families to pick up their kids. In The Junction, Fleurt is now open, and reporting that Menashe & Sons Jewelers and CAPERS also are open, if you can get out to shop safely – shop local! … The traffic camera at the bottom of Highland Park Way hill shows it’s at least partly reopened.

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Earlier:

6:02 AM: Good morning! It’s Tuesday, December 20th. The weather alert was downgraded overnight to a Winter Weather Advisory – not so snowy after all, at least in Seattle.

WEATHER

Today’s forecast as a result: Rain/snow mix more likely than outright snow, high in the upper 30s.

TODAY’S TRANSIT STATUS

Metro is still down buses for repairs and is suspending some routes again today, but as was the case Monday, no West Seattle routes were on the initial list. Keep watching notification channels such as @kcmetroalerts for trip cancellations and route suspensions. (Also, no snow routing anywhere in the county. 10 AM UPDATE: Some reroutes in all areas – follow that same link to see if your bus is affected.)

-The West Seattle Water Taxi is on its regular schedule.

-WSF’s Triangle Route remains on its two-boat schedule- check here for alerts/updates.

STREETS & SPOTLIGHT CAMERAS

(Just for reference, here’s the SDOT Winter Weather Response map – nothing going on this past hour.)

New Delridge cameras: As reported here, three have been added; four more are on the way. Besides the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also up at Delridge/Oregon and Delridge/Orchard.

High Bridge – here’s the camera at the top.

High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way).

Low Bridge: Or nearby, depending on where SDOT points the camera.

1st Ave. S. Bridge: The south route.

Highway 99: Here’s the northbound side at Lander.

All functional city traffic cams can be seen here, most with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are also on this WSB page … Are movable city bridges opening for vessels? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed.

If you see a problem on the roads/paths/water, please text or call us (when you can do so safely) – 206-293-6302.

10 Replies to "WEATHER, TRAFFIC, TRANSIT UPDATES: Snow arrives mid-morning, after not-so-snowy start to the day"

  • Jeepney December 20, 2022 (7:17 am)

    Woke up to a beautiful surprise this morning, No snow!  Mother Nature smiled on us.

    • Xman December 20, 2022 (7:40 am)

      Bah humbug 

  • NW December 20, 2022 (8:17 am)

    Thankful there is no snow now if your are able could you please do so yourself or hire someone out on winter break to clean that storm drain on your block. I am especially thinking of the one mile or more from my home on sw admiral way westbound on the curve. Report none the least on find it fix it please.

  • Derek December 20, 2022 (9:10 am)

    It’s snowing HARD now

  • sam-c December 20, 2022 (9:12 am)

    On SB 99, there are huge, hydroplaning puddles all along the right lane, from SODO to West Seattle Bridge.  Maybe go safely in the middle lane til just before WSB exit.   It’s definitely snowing hard in Queen Anne and locales north of QA.

  • Mj December 20, 2022 (9:39 am)

    It’s snowing hard in Admiral district 

    • WSB December 20, 2022 (9:49 am)

      Thanks. Just got a photo from Alki showing the same, and have updated above.

  • mem December 20, 2022 (10:46 am)

    Thank you NW for getting the word out about keeping our street gutters and drains clean. It is so important to do that this time of year! I shudder every time I see someone blowing leaves and throwing garbage in our streets. It’s such a simple/ easy task to pick it up and bag it….and it helps keeps our water, streams, the sound so much cleaner! HAPPY HOLIDAYS ⛷🌲!

  • Squeaky McClean December 20, 2022 (12:09 pm)

    I (barely) made it up Highland Park Drive just before they closed it around 11:30.  Passed 3-4 cars which had skidded across traffic downhill and landed headfirst in the bushes on the north side of the street, another 2-3 that had skidded off the road on the downhill lane side, and then squeaked around a truck stopped at the top of the hill intersection preventing others from entering (which some people were angry about).    That downhill run is no joke when the snow hits it.

  • 1994 December 20, 2022 (11:38 pm)

    I wonder how those speed humps hold up with a snow plow running over them, or maybe how does the plow hold up hitting a speed hump? 

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