EVERETT — For the first time in a long while, it looks like Snohomish County will wake up to a white Christmas.
Forecasters expected a low pressure system to bring more snow showers to the area this morning.
Most of Snohomish County was expected to get up to 2 inches of snow overnight and another 2 today, the National Weather Service reported. Light snow was expected to turn into rain Wednesday night and this afternoon as temperatures creep to a high of about 36 degrees.
The last widespread snow for Christmas in the county was 1990. Snow fell in December 1996, but the flakes didn’t hit until the day after Christmas. The melting triggered urban flooding and led to the collapse of buildings and widespread damage to the Edmonds Marina.
The weather service doesn’t keep complete statistics on past Christmas snows in Everett, but they know they are rare.
“From what I’ve heard this is a once in a 10-year event,” said Johnny Burg, meteorologist with the weather service in Seattle.
In the Seattle area, there’s only about a 7 percent chance of snow falling on Christmas and Burg said Everett’s chances are about the same.
Gov. Chris Gregoire proclaimed a state of emergency Wednesday night because of the ongoing winter weather and storms. She noted snowfall has reached record or near-record levels in 30 of Washington’s 39 counties.
The proclamation enables the state to respond quickly to local requests for emergency support and assistance arising from new storms.
This is the 12th day of snowy conditions for the region and even weather professionals are growing cool.
“Some meteorologists go gaga over this,” Burg said. “Some of us do not.”
The snow snarl isn’t expected to last much longer.
By Friday, the weather service is predicting a warm front will move into the area and stay.
The weather service on Wednesday issued a special statement warning that a combination of melting snow and rain coupled with freezing temperatures at night could dangerously stress flat or low-pitched roofs. The weight of snow and the moisture absorbed by snow can cause roof collapse.
It’s not a good sign if the roof starts creaking or leaking. People should only try to clean their roof if they have safe and easy access, Burg said.
“It’s kind of a wait-and-see, depending on the situation,” he said.
Heavy snow on rooftops already has caused problems. An industrial building in Marysville was damaged under the weight of snow and ice Monday.
The roof of another Marysville structure, an older wooden barn, crumpled Wednesday afternoon, Marysville Fire Department Battalion Chief Jeff Cole said. There may been as much as a foot of snow on the barn roof, he said. The roof wasn’t flat, but the weight was too much to bear for an older structure.
Heavy snow also is causing headaches for boat owners.
At least one faces a costly cleanup after a cabin cruiser sank Tuesday under the weight of snow at Shelter Bay Marina, near La Conner.
Rain falling onto a boat covered with snow or slush can add even more weight to a vessel. Ecology department officials urge boat owners to sweep snow off their vessels.
“We’re seeing many boats, covered in snow, riding low in the water,” Zach Gaston, an ecology spill responder said. “If you have a boat moored on the water, go out and sweep off the snow. Better to do that than having to raise a sunken boat.”
Western Washington is expected to make a slow transition back to its normal soggy, gray self during the next four days. Beginning Friday, expect rain with highs in the lower to mid-40s.
As the temperatures begin to climb on Friday and snow melts, officials warn drivers of slush, walls of snow along roadways and urban flooding.
These conditions can be as dangerous because people don’t think they need to be concerned, said Keith Leary, spokesman for the Washington State Patrol.
“It’s a hidden danger,” he said. “There’s ice and compact snow under submerged water. Slow down and watch your speeds.”
Troopers also want drivers to pull chains off before entering freeways, which have been largely free of heavy snow for days. In Kent, a motorist was struck by a car after he pulled over to remove his chains. Pulling off to the highway shoulder is for emergencies, and taking off the chains doesn’t count as one, Leary said.
People traveling over the mountains should be prepared for hazardous driving conditions.
Chains or snow tires are recommended on U.S. 12 west over White Pass. At both Interstate 90 at Snoqualmie Pass and U.S. 2 at Stevens Pass, traction tires are advised and roadways are covered with compact snow and ice. Another 5 to 10 inches of snow are expected to fall today in the passes and along the western slopes of the central Cascades.
Drivers also should be prepared for more trucks and oversized loads on state highways. The heavy trucks waiting to cross the mountain passes are moving again.
Reporter Debra Smith: 425-339-3197 or dsmith@heraldnet.com.
Know before you go
Get information from the state Transportation Department Web site at www.wsdot.wa.gov before begin your drive.
Call 511 for current traffic and closure information.
Mountain pass conditions are available at www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes.
At www.wsdot.wa.gov/winter, drivers can find tips on preparing a vehicle for winter driving, safe driving and mountain pass travel advisories.
At www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/weather, drivers can get roadway temperatures and see traffic camera views from across the state.
At www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/trafficalerts, a map shows highway incidents and closures.
The department offers subscribers more than 25 specialized e-mail alerts. Go to www.wsdot.wa.gov and click the link for “E-mail updates.”
On the road:
Watch for overhead and roadside electronic signs
The department asks drivers to program 530 AM and 1610 AM on car radios and tune to those frequencies when advised.
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