Drivers are tired of ice and snow, but Snohomish County residents may have to continue coping with slippery conditions this morning and possibly well into the week.
The National Weather Service predicted more snow today. A warmer front was expected to move into the area early this morning and collide with the cold air that has been lingering in the area for the last week.
The snow is expected to turn to rain by mid- or late morning as the air temperature rises, meteorologist Dennis D’Amico said. It won’t get very warm, however, and sub-freezing temperatures are expected at night through the week, he added.
That could mean drivers will have to continue morning trials with ice this week until the temperature rises above freezing each day, he said.
Today, drivers again are being encouraged to stay home if they can. Traffic officials say people have helped keep traffic moving by staying off the road in recent storms.
This morning’s commute could be particularly challenging because most of the snow is expected right when drivers will be trying to get to work.
“It’s appearing that it’s going to be hitting at its peak during the peak commute time,” said Greg Phipps, a spokesman for state Department of Transportation. Some roads are still icy from the last storm.
Even if they aren’t, the state’s biggest fear is that many roads, still locked in a deep cold, will turn icy when the snow turns to rain.
“We are concerned because the pavement is going to be so cold,” Phipps said. “We could have a significant ice issue (this) morning.”
The state plans to have more than 200 trucks with plows, gravel and de-icing material out in the Puget Sound region, including more than 16 in Snohomish County, Phipps said.
“We are fully prepared for this,” he said. “We’ve got crews coming in tonight that are going to be getting ready and putting out de-icer before the snow hits.”
Forecasters said snow is expected to continue falling until about 10 a.m. or noon today, before it turns to rain.
Between one and three inches of snow is expected this morning north of Seattle. Areas near large bodies of water and at sea level will probably get less, said D’Amico, the weather service meteorologist.
It may become slush by afternoon, D’Amico said, depending on how long the rain lasts.
The rain “may solve some of the problems, but it might create others depending on how much rain falls, if it’s enough to wash away the snow,” and if chilly pavement freezes, D’Amico said. “The timing of the changeover is critical. The longer the temperature’s above freezing, the longer time it will have to melt.”
An air stagnation alert for Snohomish and two other counties should be lifted by late morning, D’Amico said.
Share your weather stories and photos
Attention, weather weary.
Floods, windstorms, ice and snow – so far, it’s been a winter to remember. Or perhaps a winter we’d like to forget.
We’ve all had our adventures, such as throwing out freezers full of food, living by candlelight and abandoning cars on icy roads.
Tell us your weather warrior stories, and share your photos, too. Please send them to us at stormstories@heraldnet.com. We’ll publish as many as possible in The Herald, and here on HeraldNet. Stay warm!
Reporter Jim Haley: 425-339-3447 or haley@heraldnet.com.
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