SEATTLE – Western Washington has been grappling with its first significant winter storm of the season, characterized by snow flurries across many regions, including Seattle, as part of a multiday atmospheric river event. Snow began falling on Saturday morning, particularly affecting areas north of Seattle like Mukilteo and extending to low-elevation communities within the Puget Sound region.
By Sunday afternoon, flurries were spotted around Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac), marking the first substantial snowfall for many communities this winter. According to FOX Weather Meteorologist Craig Herrera, the snowfall arrived "a little later than average," but it certainly made its presence felt as the weather led to numerous delays and cancellations at the airport extending well beyond Sunday.
The Seattle office of the National Weather Service issued warnings for drivers, noting the possibility of black ice due to freezing temperatures overnight. The effects were particularly noticeable on Monday morning as Interstate 90 was closed near Easton due to the unfortunate incident of a jackknifed tractor-trailer, as reported by the Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT).
Consequently, numerous school districts throughout western Washington experienced delays and closures on Monday due to the wintry conditions. For example, school was canceled across various districts, including Bellingham, Ferndale, and Lynden, amid plunging temperatures from the Arctic air system pushing through from Canada.
The conditions forced additional adjustments as well. Whatcom Community College opted to close its campus for the day, allowing online classes to continue unaffected. Western Washington University delayed its schedule until 10 a.m., illustrating the widespread ripple effects of the severe winter weather.
Many districts, such as Auburn, Bellevue, Enumclaw, Everett, and Kent, also announced delays, with some schools scheduled to start as much as two hours late. The Tacoma, Fife, and Bethel school districts joined the trend, opening two hours later than usual. A few institutions, including Seattle Public Schools, remained on their normal schedule, adding to the confusion.
WSDOT crews were actively engaged on Monday morning, working tirelessly to clear ice from major routes, including SR-18 at Tiger Mountain Pass, where vehicles became stalled due to the snow and ice. The situation worsened late Sunday, resulting in closures still enforced early Monday.
Seattle, usually resilient to remarkable snow accumulations courtesy of warmer air from the Pacific Ocean and neighboring waters, found itself on the receiving end of cold air from Canada, leading to unexpected snowfall. Local shelters and warming centers opened over the weekend, aimed at supporting those experiencing homelessness or anyone seeking refuge from the chill.
Continuing snowfall was noted even late Sunday evening, particularly around Tacoma, which kept road surfaces wet throughout the night. Meanwhile, the north of Bellingham experienced gusty winds and considerable snow, reinforcing the National Weather Service's warnings to stay off the roads whenever possible.
The unpredictability of the storm remains, with forecasters predicting more snow as the atmospheric river phenomenon continues until late Monday. Predictions suggest colder air will sweep down from the Gulf of Alaska, poised to influence travel conditions along major highways.
A winter weather advisory remains active, indicating accumulations could bring 1 to 3 inches of snow throughout western Washington on Monday and potentially beyond. This advisory highlights warnings for ice and slide conditions, especially near mountain passes where traction tires may soon be required.
The National Weather Service is continuing to monitor the storm’s progression as cold air continues to cascade across the region. Temperatures throughout the area have plummeted, with early morning readings flirting with the teens, particularly for locales around Whatcom County, where severe wind chills could make it feel as if temperatures are nearing single digits.
Residents are advised to stay tuned for weather updates, keeping both safety and awareness at the forefront during this Winter season's first major storm. Schools and transportation services remain vigilant, working to mitigate disruptions as they navigate the challenges posed by this winter weather across western Washington.