Usually, when springtime rolls around, families shop for shorts and tank tops to prepare for warmer weather.
So far, this isn’t springlike at all.
Snow fell on much of Snohomish County on Friday, and another dusting of snow in the lowlands was possible today.
“It makes it a little more difficult to sell spring clothes to the kids,” said Kyle Ledford, 22, of Mukilteo, who works at the Alderwood mall in Lynnwood.
The unseasonable snow arrived with a slow-moving cold air mass from the Gulf of Alaska, said Dennis D’Amico, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Seattle.
Scattered rain and snow showers were expected until 11 a.m. today, followed by scattered rain showers. Snow is not expected to stick in the lowlands during the day, but accumulation is possible at higher elevations, D’Amico said.
The weather is expected to be similar Sunday, with possible sunny breaks.
“We’ve got this cold pool of air just sitting over us,” D’Amico said.
Traffic on I-5 Friday was slow-moving, but no significant accidents were reported, Washington State Patrol Sgt. Kirk Rudeen said.
Even if the snow isn’t sticking, snowfall decreases visibility and adds water to the roadways, Rudeen said. To be safe, people should slow down and increase following distances, he said.
“We’re just asking people to take a deep breath, slow down a little bit and realize it’s going to take a bit longer to get where you’re going,” Rudeen said.
People in Snohomish County had mixed reactions to the late snow.
When Ivy Fulmer heard that snow was a possibility, the Carnation grandmother “called it” and begged it to come.
She spent Friday with her grandchildren in Everett and was hoping that even more snow would await her at home.
“I love this,” she said, watching thick flakes fall in Everett on Friday. “I love Christmas and we didn’t get it until now.”
The snow also was a welcome sight for Everett resident Ron Marsh. The 58-year-old Alaska native is used to June snowfalls.
His only complaint is that Washington drivers, with the smallest amount of snow, create chaos on the roads.
“If you’ve got any money, buy a body fender shop,” he recommended Friday. “It amazes me they’ve got licenses.”
Cezar Tantoco, 40, of Vancouver, B.C., was traveling through Snohomish County with his hip-hop dance group, Fresh Groove Productions, to compete this weekend at the International Dance Challenge in Portland, Ore.
Their bus trip was expected to take an hour longer because of traffic, he said.
“I hate this, because we’re driving to Portland,” Tantoco said. “I know some people who drove, so I hope this doesn’t stay.”
Carol Tilby, also of Vancouver, drove to the Alderwood mall with her husband, son and two daughters for a spring shopping trip. They’d hoped for sunshine, but got a blast of winter instead.
“I don’t like it,” Tilby said. “I’m ready for spring.”
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