Warmer weather eases morning driving conditions

Warmer temperatures appear to be making for an easier commute this morning, but many Snohomish County schools planned late starts today.

Rain has replaced snow and freezing temperatures across much of the county, giving drivers a break.

"The commute should be better today," said Washington State Patrol trooper Kirk Rudeen. "We haven't seen any problems."

I-5 was reported bare and wet just after 6:30 a.m., and the side streets seem to be clear as well, Rudeen said.

Some area schools were closed, but many are opening late and several have limited bus service. For the latest details, go to http://schoolreport.org.

As of 6:30, Arlington reported it was offering limited bus service. Darrington is two hours late. Edmonds is two hours late with no morning preschool or kindergarten. Granite Falls is late with buses on snow routes and no morning kindergarten, preschool or ECEAP. Index is closed. Lake Stevens buses are on snow routes. Lakewood is on limited bus service. Marysville is closed on a pre-planned teacher in-service. Monroe is two hours late, with buses on snow routes, no morning kindergarten or preschool and no out of district transportation. Mukilteo is on some bus re-routes; Snohomish is two hours late with limited transportation. Kindergarten, preschool and ECEAP were canceled. Sultan is on limited transportation.

Despite the better conditions this morning, winter is far from over, said Carl Cerniglia, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

Scattered snow showers are expected throughout the day and into the evening. No major accumulations are forecast for Snohomish County, he said.

"It's going to be very hit and miss," he said.