Winter’s last gasp? Auburn area gets a blast of snow, ice

March 5, 2009 6:35 pm
Heavy snow showers greeted motorists as they passed through Auburn along the Valley Freeway on Monday afternoon.
Heavy snow showers greeted motorists as they passed through Auburn along the Valley Freeway on Monday afternoon.

Winter hasn’t given up its grip on Washington just yet.

Snow and ice greeted drivers in Puget Sound’s higher elevations and mountain pass highways this morning, with snow showers in much lower elevations than early forecasts predicted.

Auburn received a good blast of Old Man Winter on Monday afternoon.

The National Weather Service expects snow accumulations in the Puget Sound lowlands of 1-3 inches, covering Seattle and Tacoma.

There could be more snow to come in the overnight hours, and drivers should prepare for winter driving and possible black ice Tuesday morning. Conditions today vary widely across the state and WSDOT advises drivers to know the conditions all along their route.

Forecasters say the central Cascades will get 4-8 inches through today.

“Those on the road should be prepared. Take it slow and carry chains,” said Chris Christopher, WSDOT Director of Maintenance Operations. “Our crews will be out all over the state, but drivers need to plan ahead and take precautions.”

In the mountains, drivers can expect heavy snowfall, snow and ice on the roadway, and poor visibility throughout the day today as WSDOT maintenance crews continue to battle the storm that has caused challenging driving conditions since Saturday afternoon. The snowfall should decrease after 6 p.m. with a drop in temperatures but high winds are expected, up to 45 miles per hour, until late tonight.

In the lowlands, Whatcom, Skagit and Snohomish counties are the hardest hit. The storm is expected to travel south into Seattle this afternoon, with snowfall tapering off by 5 p.m.

Overnight, temperatures are expected to drop this afternoon to around 20 degrees. Drivers can expect ice, and the occasional snow shower during the evening commute and Tuesday morning’s commute.

WSDOT uses tools and technology to manage and dispatch winter roadway crews 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week where needed most. These crews use salt and anti-icing compounds, or sand to treat and clear highways of snow and ice. On Snoqualmie Pass, close to 20 equipment operators will work over the weekend to keep I-90 safe and open. For more on WSDOT’s winter operations visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/winter.

Before you go, check the WSDOT Web site and local media reports. It is also important to check the mountain pass reports www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes/ for any scheduled road closures for avalanche control.

Drivers who are ready for the weather and drive safely help WSDOT and themselves. One spinout can block traffic for hours and cause additional collisions. And, clearing collisions takes our crews away from road-clearing activities.

Drivers should be prepared, carry chains, slow down and schedule extra time to reach your destination safely. Slow down when approaching intersections, off-ramps, bridges or shady spots. These all have potential to develop black ice that makes driving hazardous.

Know before you go:

• Get information from our Web site at www.wsdot.wa.gov before you leave your home or office.

• 511 – This driver information phone line provides current traffic, incident and closure information. TTY users can call 1-800-833-6388. Out-of-state callers can access the information at call 1-800-695-ROAD (7623).

• Mountain pass conditions are available at www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes/.

• At www.wsdot.wa.gov/winter, drivers can find WSDOT’s winter driving-related information, including preparing a vehicle for winter driving, safe driving tips and mountain pass travel advisories. The WSDOT winter site also offers information about chains, winter tires and how WSDOT maintenance crews work in winter weather.

• On WSDOT’s web site, www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/weather, drivers can look roadway temperatures and see camera images from across the state.

• At www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/trafficalerts, a map shows highway incidents and closures.

• Sign up for news at www.wsdot.wa.gov/emailupdates/. WSDOT offers subscribers more than 25 specialized e-mail alerts, including news and information for freight haulers, construction related traffic revisions, project updates from all around the state, and timely updates on pass conditions.

• Twitter users can add WSDOT to their personal accounts at: http://twitter.com/wsdot/. Go to www.wsdot.wa.gov/inform/twitter for more details.

On the road:

• Overhead and roadside electronic signs

• Highway advisory radio – WSDOT advises drivers to program 530 AM and 1610 AM on your radio.