7:37 PM: Trouble on the streets everywhere – a utility pole across California in The Junction (photo from Jacob):

Buses stuck on Avalon (photo from Gwen):

Almost 1,000 customers without power in southeast West Seattle:

Several more inches of snow has made this a messy night. (For us, too – apologies for the technical trouble that kept us from updating here for a few hours.) Here’s our newest link list:

SCHOOL CLOSURES FOR TUESDAY: List here
NEWEST ALERTS AND FORECAST: National Weather Service updates here
SDOT WINTER-RESPONSE MAP: See where SDOT has treated/plowed
TRAFFIC CAMS PAGE: Our compilation of local cameras
SDOT CITYWIDE CAMS ETC. PAGE: Year-round “travelers” map with cams/alerts
METRO SERVICE: Emergency Snow Network at least through Tuesday – here are the West/South Seattle specifics.
WEST SEATTLE WATER TAXI: Here’s the Tuesday plan
TRASH/RECYCLING: Awaiting Tuesday plans
TUESDAY BUSINESS (ETC.) CLOSURES/CHANGES: Building a list here

One big message tonight: STAY HOME. Besides the streets mentioned above, there are also trees on 35th, Jacobsen, and other streets.

8:10 PM: Buses on 35th south of Avalon, too – the photo above is from Jeff B, who also reports that the high bridge had “lots of snow.” …. Regan tweeted that tow trucks were making progress on the Avalon buses … Outage update: About half the nearly-a-thousand who lost power in the Highland Park area have it back, per City Light’s map. Citywide, more than 21,000 customers are without electricity.

8:28 PM: Sounds like just rain out there now (340′ elevation). The Winter Weather Advisory alert is in effect until 4 am. … Steve Ball sends this view, saying he had just finished clearing the walkway when the snow turned to rain:

We’re getting some non-school changes/closures for Tuesday and starting a new list of those – if you have anything to share, 206-293-6302, text or voice, is our hotline – thank you!

9:45 PM: Thanks to Michael KD for that video of SW Avalon Way getting cleared. Meantime, up here we just heard a ferocious road-scraping noise, and went out to see this:

What exactly do we call that? Guess we can consult this newly published SDOT post that explains snow-clearing and de-icing in insider-level detail.

10:45 PM: The trouble spots are being cleared bit by bit, and the meltoff continues. Hard to tell until early morning (we plan to restart by 5) what it’ll be like out there. “The lowlands could be done with the snow,” per the latest “forecast discussion.”

11:09 PM: Still ~500 out of power in Highland Park, and as noted in comments, there’s a small outage in Gatewood that’s not showing on the map.

11:17 AM: Dangling, arcing power line reported at 35th/Trenton.

(Junction photo from Becca)

3:19 PM: Our afternoon-into-evening coverage begins, with the snow continuing. First, the infolink list after a few “live” cameras:

SCHOOL DECISIONS FOR TUESDAY: List here
TRASH/RECYCLING: No Monday pickups; awaiting Tuesday plans
PARKS: Today’s updates here
LIBRARIES: Today’s plan here
WS BUSINESS/ETC. UPDATES: This page is not currently working – Tuesday version soon
SDOT WINTER-RESPONSE MAP: See where SDOT has treated/plowed
METRO SERVICE: Emergency Snow Network at least through Tuesday – here are the West/South Seattle specifics.
WEST SEATTLE WATER TAXI: One-boat service – schedule and other details here
TRAFFIC CAMS PAGE: Our compilation of local cameras
SDOT CITYWIDE CAMS ETC. PAGE: Year-round “travelers” map with cams/alerts.
CITY/COUNTY/STATE BRIEFING: Separate story here

Roads are challenging – just heard on the scanner about “several spinouts on Sylvan Way,” and via Twitter, Mike warns even the slight California SW incline on the north end of The Junction is problematic.

4:23 PM: Multiple reports of stuck buses and other vehicles, in multiple places.

7:20 PM: Our apologies – technical trouble rendered us unable to update WSB for a couple hours. Fixed now. We will launch an evening report shortly.

In case you didn’t get to watch it live – that’s archived Seattle Channel video of this morning’s storm-response briefing led by Mayor Jenny Durkan, King County Executive Dow Constantine, and Governor Jay Inslee, along with a variety of city department heads and others. As Constantine noted toward the end of the 43-minute briefing, what’s most unusual about the current situation is that while we deal with snow days at least once a year, this is the first time in a long time we’ve had to deal with a snow WEEK. A few points we noted:

Trash/recycling – SPU director Mami Hara reiterated that whenever they’re able to resume pickups, they’ll get to Monday customers first; yesterday they managed some emergency pickups for hospitals. Transfer stations are open if you have any way of getting there.

Metro – Constantine says he has not decided yet on whether the Emergency Snow Network reduced-service plan will continue into Wednesday; he said mechanics have a lot of bus repairs to catch up on

Schools – Inslee was asked if he’s able to take action that would keep all these missed school days from having to be made up. He said the Supt. of Public Instruction would have to look into that.

Roads – Durkan said they have lots of salt on hand and even have shared some with neighboring jurisdictions in need.

Many other topics were addressed (yes, even the sidewalk-clearing issue) – see for yourself above.

FIRST REPORT, 3:23 PM: As predicted, the next wave of snow has begun:

(Lincoln Park photo by Kersti Muul)

Coverage resumes with our latest list of infolinks, including pages we’re continuing to update as info comes in:

NEWEST FORECAST/ALERTS: National Weather Service‘s Seattle site
SCHOOL CLOSURES: Monday announcements here
SDOT WINTER-RESPONSE MAP: See where SDOT has treated/plowed
TRAFFIC CAMS PAGE: Our compilation of local cameras
METRO ‘EMERGENCY SNOW NETWORK’: Here’s the bus plan for today and Monday
WEST SEATTLE WATER TAXI: Here’s the NEW plan for Monday
SOUND TRANSIT ALERTS: See left side of this page
SDOT CITYWIDE CAMS ETC. PAGE: Year-round “travelers” map with cams/more.
SEATTLE PARKS & RECREATION: Sunday updates here
SEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRARIES: See the updates atop this page.
SOLID WASTE COLLECTION: Updated – no Monday pickups
WS BUSINESS NOTES: Open, closed, changed – adding as received
WS CANCELLATIONS/POSTPONEMENTS/NON-BIZ CLOSURES: Includes Sun. and beyond, as received
EARLIER COVERAGE: Sat. #2 here, Sat. #1 here, Fri. #3 here; Fri. #2 here; bonus photos/video here

3:34 PM: Don’t everybody rush out. But Jason Grotelueschen sends the pic with a note that Junction True Value got a shipment of snow shovels and they’re going fast.

4:05 PM: As the snow continues falling fairly fast, almost every local school/district has already announced closures for tomorrow – we’re continuing to update our school-closures page (also linked above). … SPU has NOT yet called off trash/recycling/etc. pickups for tomorrow but says Monday customers (who were missed last week) will be prioritized whenever they do resume pickup.

(“Live” image from SDOT cam currently pointed east at high and low bridges)
4:31 PM: From the city’s latest mega-update:

Currently there are 34 snow vehicles out roving Seattle’s major arterials with plows, salt spreaders, and de-icer trucks servicing snow and ice routes. Fourteen hand crews are out responding to sidewalk issues in Downtown and Center City areas. The most high priority arterials are in fair to good condition with mostly slushy pavement conditions. Our goal is prevent ice buildup, with an ultimate goal of achieving “bare and wet” pavement conditions.

4:53 PM: Just added to our business-closures/changes page, Junction QFC is closing at 7 pm. The weather isn’t expected to get any better aside from what the NWS says will be a “brief break” very early Monday, so if you have to shop, sooner better than later.

6:21 PM: Important change for Water Taxi riders – since the announcement sent early this afternoon, they have CHANGED the plan and now WILL have 773/775 shuttle service, plus Pier 2 parking and that shuttle, on Monday. We have changed the link in the list above … For North Delridge, take note that our newest addition to the biz-info list is The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), whose proprietor Matt reports they’re “open and will continue to be!” … And one more big addition to the school list: South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) just announced it’s closed Monday too.

7:18 PM: That C Line bus got stuck on the low bridge a short time ago (and is still blocking the westbound side); thanks to @D4RKARROW for tweeting the photo. We are at the point – as you can see on the cameras – that even the main routes are getting snowed over faster than the city can keep them cleared.

8 PM: Just in via text and tweet: More reports of roads to avoid, including Sylvan Way, and SW Oregon. Here’s why the roads have gotten so ugly – several inches of snow, as shown in this photo from Eddie V:

The NWS says snow should start to taper off shortly – at least, until tomorrow.

8:33 PM: Word of another stuck bus – this one’s on 35th SW south of Alaska:

Lots of reports of road trouble on the scanner.

8:45 PM: Thanks to MercyMoi for catching SPU’s recent update (at the same link in our list above) – NO Monday pickup; they’re hoping to catch up with Monday customers (who you’ll recall were skipped last week after the first snow) on Tuesday.

9:06 PM: Thanks to the texter who sent that photo of SDOT plowing Admiral tonight. Since by all accounts the heaviest snow has passed for now, they should be able to catch up – the map shows they have also hit 35th, Delridge, the bridge, and more this past hour.

10:13 PM: The bridge looks a lot better than it did a couple hours ago. Meantime, further proof the sky has at least partly cleared – we can see the moon through the trees to the west. And thanks for the fun pics too – we have added (and are still adding) today’s photos atop the gallery here.

11:15 PM: The NWS’s late-night “forecast discussion” (a deeper analysis they usually publish four times daily) says the air may be warming more than expected and that might mean more rain ahead than snow. MIGHT.

11:36 PM: The West Seattle/Fauntleroy YMCA (WSB sponsor) plan for Monday, just announced: “Our West Seattle and Fauntleroy locations will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.” More specifics here.

(Photo by David Hutchinson)

7:07 PM: Beautiful snowy sunset – preceding this already-below-freezing night – so you are urged to stay home.

(Photo by James Bratsanos)

Tonight’s post-(and pre-)snow coverage starts with our infolink list:

NEWEST FORECAST/ALERTS: National Weather Service‘s Seattle site
SDOT WINTER-RESPONSE MAP: Here’s where SDOT has treated/plowed
TRAFFIC CAMS PAGE: Our compilation of local cameras
METRO ‘EMERGENCY SNOW NETWORK’: Service reduced to these routes, continuing Sunday
SOUND TRANSIT ALERTS: See left side of this page
SDOT CITYWIDE CAMS ETC. PAGE: Year-round “travelers” map with cams/more.
SEATTLE PARKS & RECREATION: Saturday updates here (added: Sunday updates here)
SEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRARIES: Closed today, awaiting Sun. updates.
SOLID WASTE COLLECTION: Here’s SPU’s latest update
WS BUSINESS NOTES: Open, closed, changed – adding as received
WS CANCELLATIONS/POSTPONEMENTS/NON-BIZ CLOSURES: Includes Sun. and beyond, as received
EARLIER COVERAGE: Sat. morning/afternoon here, Fri. night/early Sat. here; Fri. afternoon/evening here; bonus photos/video here

8:19 PM: We’re starting to get some Sunday info. We’re continuing to update our local lists, linked above, but will also note major announcements like this – Shalimar Gonzales, executive director of the West Seattle/Fauntleroy YMCA (WSB sponsor), says, “Our WS location will be open 10 am-3 pm on Sunday. Our pool will close at 2:30. Fauntleroy will remain closed.” … Grocery report: Phoebe e-mailed to say West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) is well-stocked now … In earlier coverage, we reported on a truck getting stuck on the SW Edmunds hill in The Junction. Jake reports it’s bad tonight too and wanted to warn you: “Edmunds east of 42nd is an ice sheet. Two collisions … cars going downhill and locking up, unable to stop.”

(WSDOT cam framegrab, 1st Ave. S. Bridge NB side stuck)

9:27 PM: Trouble with the 1st Avenue South Bridge – the State Patrol says NB 509 will be “closed for a couple hours” as a result.

10:39 PM: And it was fixed in less than an hour. So let’s look at a couple pretty photos that came in tonight – from Micah Summers, the Seattle Chinese Garden on Puget Ridge:

And this High Point scene is from Breton:

And just in – though the Farmers’ Market is still on so far as we know, the city’s scheduled WSFM booth to take opinions about the future 48th/Charlestown park has been POSTPONED to a future date. (You can still take the online survey linked in our recent story.)

THANK YOU! Here are more of the photos and video you’ve shared in since the snow began (and we’re adding):

Added Monday – thanks to Liz Virnig for this montage of cool creations by the water:

Added Sunday, more photos/video – below, “picture sent by Lisa Wolters: Igloo built by Ella, Sawyer, Lisa and Ben Wolters and by Elliott and Chad Caron“:

Alex Hagenah‘s snow couple in Seaview:

From Monibelle, “Juneau St. shenanigans”:

Tweeted by Brian, his family’s very young snow-shoveler:

More Saturday views – the next two by Susan Romanenghi:

Read More

(Texted photo, cross-country skiing south of Alki Point)

8:09 AM: Good morning! If you went to bed last night thinking the forecast had fizzled short of big snow – as we chronicled into the early-early-morning hours, it resumed in a major way. We’re starting our morning updates now – any info to share, 206-293-6302, text or voice. Stay home and stay safe.

LATEST FORECAST/ALERTS: National Weather Service‘s Seattle site
METRO ‘EMERGENCY SNOW NETWORK’: Service reduced to these routes
SOUND TRANSIT ALERTS: See left side of this page
SDOT WINTER-RESPONSE MAP: Here’s where SDOT has treated/plowed.
TRAFFIC CAMS PAGE: Our compilation of local cameras.
SDOT CITYWIDE CAMS ETC. PAGE: Year-round “travelers” map with cams/more.
SEATTLE PARKS & RECREATION: Saturday updates here
SEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRARIES: Closed today.
SOLID WASTE COLLECTION: Canceled today, per SPU
BUSINESS NOTES: Open, closed, changed – adding as received
CANCELLATIONS/POSTPONEMENTS/NON-BIZ CLOSURES: Continuing to update this list
EARLIER COVERAGE: Friday night/very early Saturday here; Friday afternoon/evening here

8:29 AM: Even if you think you can try the roads, please don’t. Problems from scanner and hotline in just the past few minutes include a stuck truck at 40th/Edmunds (photo added below after tow arrived), and wires down at 28th/Kenyon and 46th and Stevens. …

No city cameras on Delridge Way so thanks to Sage K for this photo from near Boren STEM K-8:

9:18 AM: Another addition to the link/shortcut info list above – solid-waste collection, which was already on a one-day delay, is CANCELED today. … If you can get there safely, some restaurants and other businesses ARE open, and we’re continuing to update our list. At both ends of the peninsula, two WSB sponsors – Endolyne Joe’s (Fauntleroy) and Mission Cantina (Admiral) – ARE open right now, for breakfast/brunch respectively. Meantime, we just measured our snow. 7″ in Upper Fauntleroy. … Multiple WSB’ers remind us, take care of the birds! (updated) Lise emails:

Remind people to bring their hummingbird feeders indoors overnight so they can thaw and put out a bowl of water for when they rest. Which could also be brought indoors overnight to thaw.

10:03 AM: This Alki photo tweeted by @AggieDave also carries a reminder:

While the snow is currently at flurry level – and “tapering off” per the NWS – wind is expected to increase and that means blowing snow as well as trouble for snow-laden, weakened tree branches. … Another road report: US Postal Service truck reportedly in trouble at 35th/Southern in Gatewood. (added) Speaking of forecasts, Babs just mentioned in a comment that weather analyst Cliff Mass has just published an update. Still looking like more big snow next week!

11:05 AM: Still snowing. From @LO on Twitter: “Home Depot is out of ice melter but True Value has quite a good stock (5 pallets) as of 10:50 am!” … Best sledding is at parks. More on that in a moment – posting a found dog – if you’re new to WSB, note that we have kept the only all-WS lost/found pets page for more than a decade now; find it here. (added) Back to sledding – @GDH415 tweeted this video of sledding at Westcrest Park in Highland Park:

The updated Seattle Parks roundup for today (also linked in our list above) says parks are open but beware of tree branches. Also, while West Seattle Golf Course is closed for golf, it’s open for sledding/snow play. … @roncreel tweeted this pic of a neighborhood where, as Ron put it, “sharing is caring”:

11:36 AM: Road update from the city – “SDOT has 34 snow and ice vehicles treating major streets and thoroughfares throughout the city. Morning and afternoon crews will focus on maintaining bare and wet pavement conditions on major arterials.” That goes with this texted photo from the west end of SW Roxbury:

And a new pic of Delridge, this one from Joy, looking north from the Youngstown pedestrian overpass:

11:55 AM: Side streets, however, are generally trouble. But check out this rescue on 55th SW (texted photo):

12:40 PM: Continuing to update both the business-info page (some businesses are making decisions now about closing early) and the cancellations/postponements page (some churches have canceled Sunday services, for example) – both are linked above. Earlier we mentioned the city’s update on SDOT snow/ice crews – here’s the link to today’s full roundup with status of city services. … Another road-condition-where-there’s-no-cameras photo, SW Thistle toward its highest point:

Thanks again for all the great photos – we’re building a separate gallery to link before we launch afternoon coverage in the next few hours.

12:58 PM: Scanner – Fairmount & Hanford, tree down across Fairmount, brought wires down too. SCL advice: “We’ve received many reports of downed power lines. If you see a downed line, keep a safe distance (at least 20 feet) and report it to (206) 684-3000. If it appears to be sparking or smoking, call 911. Crews will respond to each report.”

1:21 PM: 39th/Hanford, split utility pole, also per scanner. (added) Eric sends this photo – tree down as part of it too:

Thanks also to Frank for calling with word of this (and sending the second photo) … BUS INFO: We also have an update from Metro – the Emergency Snow Network will continue TFN:

Service on Metro’s Emergency Snow Network (ESN) began 4 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 9, and will continue until further notice. Freezing temperatures are expected to persist and Metro has chained up its bus fleet to operate on these core routes, which primarily serve key arterials and transit centers in many parts of King County. Dozens of buses became stuck overnight due to roadway conditions, signaling ongoing challenges with roadway conditions. The forecast calls for difficult weather conditions in the days ahead.

The ESN service prioritizes service on high-ridership routes and avoids areas with steep hills. The routes were developed in coordination and collaboration with jurisdictions and take advantage of designated snow plow plans, including the City of Seattle.

Routes served

Routes operating as part of the ESN will serve core centers around King County, via routes 3, 4, 5, 7, 10, 21, 24, 24 shuttle, 31, 32, 36, 40, 41, 44, 45, 48, 62, 62 shuttle, 65, 70, 75, 90 shuttle, 101, 102 shuttle, 106, 106 shuttle, 120, 124, 128, 150, 166, 168, 169, 180, 181, 235, 245, 248, 252/255 shuttle, 255, 255 shuttle, 271, 331, 345, 348, 348 shuttle, 372 Woodinville and 372 Lake City, ST 522, ST 545, ST 550, ST 554, ST 554 shuttle, RapidRide A, B, C, D, E and F lines.

The full announcement is now online here – including a caveat for riders – the ESN is NOT reflected in apps and the Puget Sound Trip Planner.

1:57 PM: Police are responding to word of a tree down at 34th/Admiral, southbound lanes. (added) Nika sent a photo:

2:21 PM: Sun’s out. And sledding continues in many places:

Thanks to Aidan Grambihler for that photo.

3:55 PM: Back after a break. As noted in comments, a NEW weather alert – Winter Storm Watch for Sunday afternoon through Tuesday night. … Several local churches have canceled Sunday services, and we’re adding to the Cancellations/Postponements (etc.) list. … ArtsWest, meantime, says its Saturday and Sunday shows are ON … Latest updates to our Businesses Open/Closed/Etc. list include the Admiral Theater now OPEN, as of mid-afternoon. … As a reminder that we’ve had a few hours of sunshine now, this photo from David Hutchinson at Constellation Park:

5:13 PM: Evening coverage launching soon. Meantime, we also now have a gallery up with some of the many photos we’ve received but hadn’t already published – see it here – and don’t miss the comment thread below, where many cool images have been posted too. Be safe tonight – the temp could drop into the teens!

P.S. Evening updates are here.

9:02 PM: Launching the Friday mid-evening updates, with Saturday previews:

(Photo contributed by Andy)

LATEST FORECAST/ALERTS: National Weather Service‘s Seattle site
METRO UPDATES: Here’s the winter-weather page
METRO ‘EMERGENCY SNOW NETWORK’: Service reduced to these routes as of 4 am Sat.
SOUND TRANSIT ALERTS: See left side of this page
SDOT WINTER-RESPONSE MAP: Here’s where SDOT has treated/plowed.
TRAFFIC CAMS PAGE: Our compilation of local cameras.
SDOT CITYWIDE CAMS ETC. PAGE: Year-round “travelers” map with cams/more.
SEATTLE PARKS & RECREATION: Saturday plan here
SEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRARIES: Watch for Saturday plan.
BUSINESS NOTES: Open, closed, changed – adding as received
CANCELLATIONS/POSTPONEMENTS/NON-BIZ CLOSURES: Here’s the list so far

The snow has resumed. Updates ahead.

9:36 PM: Cass just sent the photo of a stuck bus on westbound Roxbury at 35th:

Since the photo, Cass reports, a second bus has gotten stuck by that one. … Again, as mentioned in the afternoon coverage and linked above, Metro plans to reduce service to its Emergency Snow Network as of 4 am. Meantime, SDOT is out on the roads – we just photographed this plow truck here in Upper Fauntleroy:

We have also just finished the first take of the cancellations/postponements/non-business closures list – any additions to that, or business notes for tomorrow, 206-293-6302 or westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you.

10:53 PM: Now’s the time when you REALLY don’t want to be out driving. Via scanner, we’re hearing police planning to block the 35th SW hill in the SW Edmunds vicinity. “It’s pretty bad,” one officer warned.

11:05 PM: Also from the scanner, tree trouble at 46th/Holgate. … The National Weather Service’s Winter Storm Warning is still in effect through 4 pm Saturday, and in a late-night update, the NWS says the heaviest snowfall is overnight tonight, after midnight.

11:33 PM: Bus stuck at Delridge/Kenyon per scanner. Even arterials are getting snowed over – below are two framegrabs of cameras you can check “live” on our cams page:

11:59 PM: Kevin tweeted photos of the scene near 35th and Alaska:

12:12 AM: Continuing to update the two info pages linked in the list above – business info (who’s open, who’s not) and other (non-business) cancellations/postponements/etc.

12:50 AM: Especially for those who are sleeping through all this new snow and won’t see this until morning – Benjamin Evans says it is quiet on 8th SW:

Tamsen Spengler sent the next photo, saying Morgan Junction now has a half-foot:

Still snowing!

1:20 AM: Thanks for the messages – we only flickered here but that meant somebody was losing power somewhere, and we’re hearing from Highland Park for starters.

1:29 AM: Now mapped. 3,428 homes/businesses. (Update) Added a screengrab from the outage map. Cause still under investigation but multiple people report seeing flashes, which usually means a transformer/wire type problem. Also a reminder – though a restoration estimate of 3:50 am is currently mentioned, could be sooner, could be later, that’s really only a guess.

4:36 AM: Back on as of minutes ago.

8:10 AM: Saturday coverage is launched here.

12:15 PM: The snow is here. Afternoon updates start now:

(West Seattle Junction – photo by Jason Grotelueschen)

LATEST FORECAST/ALERTS: National Weather Service‘s Seattle site
METRO UPDATES: Here’s the winter-weather page; snow routing @ 2 pm
METRO ROUTE 55: no 3:56 run from downtown; 4:28 & 5:12 pm runs canceled
METRO ROUTE 56: 4:54 pm run from downtown canceled, also 5:31 pm
METRO ROUTE 57: 4:15 run from downtown canceled
METRO ROUTE 113: 5:07 pm run from downtown canceled
WATER TAXI: Some changes.
RIDE2: Canceled for the rest of the day
SOUND TRANSIT ALERT: See left side of this page
SDOT WINTER-RESPONSE MAP: Here’s where SDOT has treated/plowed.
SCHOOL CHANGES: The Friday list of early dismissals (etc.)..
TRAFFIC CAMS PAGE: Our compilation of local cameras.
SDOT CITYWIDE CAMS ETC. PAGE: The year-round “travelers” map with cams/more.
SEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRARIES: Closing at 1 pm.
SEATTLE PARKS & RECREATION: Friday weather-impact updates here; Saturday plan here
BUSINESS NOTES: Open, closed, changed – adding as received

If you have changes/closures/etc. to report, 206-293-6302 text or voice – thanks!

1:03 PM: Steady snow for going on an hour now. Just added to our school-changes list for today: Our Lady of Guadalupe, which is near the highest-elevation point in the city, is closing early – but, the school stresses, don’t rush to get there, be safe. Meantime, a live look at 35th/Fauntleroy, followed by the high bridge at midspan:

1:29 PM: In comments and via email, we’re hearing that traffic on streets around West Seattle is slow going, so please be safe and patient! Also a commenter reminds us that the East Marginal/Nevada scene – now in its 8th hour – hasn’t fully cleared yet. … Just heard via scanner, tree down at Highland Park Way/West Marginal Way …

1:57 PM: As discussed in comments – King County is stepping up Water Taxi frequency for “the next hour or so” due to high demand for getting back to WS. (Added) Doc Maynard is temporarily out for maintenance, we’re told, and that’s why smaller Spirit of Kingston is running along with Doc Maynard.

2:05 PM: Metro is now on snow routes, and just sent the map above – here’s a PDF version – saying, “We heard from West Seattle customers who were seeking a better map for C line snow routing … this map better shows the stops. We hope this makes it easier for people who absolutely must ride transit during this snowstorm, but we’d feel better if most folks could ride this one out warm and safe at home.”

2:25 PM: Per scanner – jackknifed semitruck on SW Genesee just east of Avalon. … SDOT says (updated 2:37 pm) TWO southbound lanes are now open at scene of 5:50 am truck-vs.-wires incident at East Marginal/Nevada … Metro has just announced Ride2 is canceled for the rest of today.

2:43 PM: SFD fireboat is out looking for a possible paddleboarder in distress off Alki, per scanner … If you’re waiting for somebody to come home, be aware that many city streets are gridlocked or close to it (even some WS arterials – see the red lines on the city map) … Gov. Inslee has just declared a statewide state of emergency because of the storm.

3:01 PM: Thanks to Robert Duffy for that photo of the truck stuck on SW Genesee east of Avalon. Nancy tweets that the hill is now closed. … As specific bus-route alerts come in, we’re adding to the list above, next to the transit links already there…

3:50 PM: Sitting next to a window, we’ve been able to observe the ebb and flow of the storm. The snow lightened up for a while but now it’s intensified again. Here’s a “live” look at Admiral/California:

We’ve started the business-info page here, linked in the list above too. … Traffic note: Stalled vehicle blocking a SB lane on 1st Ave. S. at Spokane.

4:44 PM: That’s clear. Plus, all but one NB lane now reopened at the East Marginal/Nevada truck-vs.-wires scene (11 hours later). Monitoring regional reports, the general consensus is that everyone’s finally gotten out of downtown.

5:11 PM: Just in from Metro – they’ll activate the Emergency Snow Network starting tomorrow morning:

The Emergency Snow Network (ESN) will be effective at 4 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 9, until further notice.

Customers will be able to board service only on 60 core bus routes and shuttles primarily serving key arterials and transit centers. The network was prioritized based on high ridership routes and to serve areas to avoid steep hills. The routes were developed in coordination and collaboration with jurisdictions and taking advantage of designated snow plow plans, including the City of Seattle.

Routes operating as part of the ESN will serve core centers around King County, via routes 3, 4, 5, 7, 10, 21, 24, 24 shuttle, 31, 32, 36, 40, 41, 44, 45, 48, 62, 62 shuttle, 65, 70, 75, 90 shuttle, 101, 102 shuttle, 106, 106 shuttle, 120, 124, 128, 150, 166, 168, 169, 180, 181, 235, 245, 248, 252/255 shuttle, 255, 255 shuttle, 271, 331, 345, 348, 348 shuttle, 372 Woodinville and 372 Lake City, ST 522, ST 545, ST 550, ST 554, ST 554 shuttle, RapidRide A, B, C, D, E and F lines.

Metro will be monitoring performance of this network and make adjustments as needed to improve operations. Customers in outlying areas and neighborhoods should prepare for reduced or temporarily unavailable bus service on Saturday and for several days due to inclement weather, difficult travel conditions and topography.

More details on the ESN here.

5:28 PM: Power outage near 42nd/Andover, where a texter describes what sounds like a transformer problem preceding it. Not on the map yet but the texter says it seems to be a small neighborhood pocket.

6:10 PM: 6 customers affected by that outage, according to the SCL map … Update on the stuck truck on SW Genesee, it’s been towed after almost four hours:

Thanks to Regina for the update and photo. … Also thanks to Al, for this pre-dusk photo of California Way:

And a note from C & P Coffee (WSB sponsor) – tonight’s songwriter showcase is canceled.

6:41 PM: The 42nd/Andover outage is down to 1 customer. Meanwhile, Seattle Parks is out with its plan for tomorrow – also adding to the list above.

7:32 PM: Thanks to the person who mentioned that the comment function on this story had broken – unfortunately a glitch we have had every so often with too many updates on the same story. Time to start an evening update anyway; stand by for that link.

The night before the storm …

7:36 PM: The grocery-line photo is from “Diver Laura” James. We’ve been at a couple other stores tonight and can confirm, it’s busy – though not unmanageably so. We also got a note from Seth, who reported as of late afternoon:

I just stopped at WS Home Depot in search of a snow shovel to replace my cracked one. They’re all out, and the helper had a constant stream of folks asking after shovels, salt and sand. They’re out on all accounts but for a few bags of sand. Called True Value and they confirmed that supplies have been flying off their shelves. They’re getting another load of shovels tonight, but don’t expect them to last long.

If you want to check in the morning:
Junction True Value (44th/Edmunds) opens at 8 am
Home Depot (Delridge/Orchard) opens at 6 am
McLendon Hardware (16th/102nd in White Center) opens at 7 am

Some other toplines:

(Photo by James Bratsanos)

THE FORECAST/ALERT: Upgraded this afternoon to a Winter Storm Warning, “heavy snow expected.” But so far – pending the mid-evening forecast update – the snow is not expected to start before noon. (Added: Weather analyst Cliff Mass says the many forecast models agree with that.)

SCHOOLS: Some early dismissals already planned for tomorrow – we’re continuing to update here. And in case anyone changes their mind in the morning, we’ll be reporting by 5 am.

OTHER CHANGES FOR FRIDAY: The West Seattle/Fauntleroy YMCA (WSB sponsor) will close at 1 pm, including Early Learning; no afterschool child care or KidsU; basketball games and practices are canceled.

WEEKEND CANCELLATIONS/POSTPONEMENTS: The list will be linked here and in our calendar later tonight. What was to be the weekend’s biggest event, The Big Plunge at Alki, already has a new date – February 23rd. Anything to add? 206-293-6302, text or voice, 24/7.

ADDED 9:49 PM – METRO PLANS FOR FRIDAY: Thanks to the texter who pointed out this post on one of Metro’s websites announcing cancellations for tomorrow – including all trips on Routes 37 and 125. If you are a Metro rider – even on other routes – take a look, because it includes other info for the rest of the day.

(Salted 35th SW just north of SW Thistle, photographed this afternoon)

ORIGINAL REPORT, 5:44 PM WEDNESDAY: The National Weather Service has now issued an official alert for the next round of expected snow, Friday-Saturday – which might be just the first round! See the Special Weather Statement in its entirety here. It includes:

… This system will bring a round of widespread lowland snow and strong northeast outflow winds from the Fraser River Valley. Expected impacts with this system include: Cold temperatures, snow-covered roads, strong outflow winds and blowing snow for portions of the area.

Precipitation will spread from the north to the south beginning Friday morning. Temperatures will be cold enough for snow Friday from Everett northward, with a rain/snow mix south of Everett. Precipitation will transition to snow over the remainder of the interior as the cold outflow from the Fraser River Valley works through the remainder of the interior by late Friday night.

Variable snowfall totals are expected, with snow peaking early Saturday morning. The most likely snow accumulations include 3-4″ over most of the lowlands, with heavier amounts possible for the Hood Canal area, the north Olympic Peninsula, and the north interior including the San Juan Islands. Cold ground temperatures over the lowlands may enhance initial accumulations. …

Weather analyst Cliff Mass sees the potential for up to 8″ around the Sound – here’s his take, including even more snow likely Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday, concluding:

SDOT, WSDOT, and other local departments of transportation need to get prepared for perhaps the snowiest period since the large snowfall of December 1996, when Seattle received 21 inches.

But tomorrow is expected to be snowless, so now’s the time to start getting ready!

THURSDAY MORNING UPDATE: Still looking snowless today – the upgraded Winter Storm Watch alert kicks in at noon Friday.