EVERETT — Icy made for dicey on Snohomish County roadways Thursday morning, and slick streets might be an issue again Friday before things warm up this weekend.
Ice and a spattering of lowland snow led to car accidents and school delays or closures Thursday. Though temperatures are expected to rise in the next couple of days, a few more snow flurries are likely Friday.
In a 24-hour period from Wednesday to late Thursday morning, troopers in Snohomish, Skagit, Island and Whatcom counties responded to 185 crashes, State Patrol trooper Heather Axtman said.
Axtman took to social media to emphasize the dangerous driving conditions. During the early morning commute Thursday, she posted a photo of a truck that slid into cable barriers at Smokey Point.
“Please S-L-O-W down!” she urged.
She said the truck was driving too fast for conditions.
Troopers in Sno, Skagit, Island and Whatcom Counties have responded to 185 collisions in the past 24 hours 😳 If you’re involved in a crash, remember you MUST remain at the scene until all info has been exchanged or until the police arrive! Follow the list 👇 pic.twitter.com/aEBiPE8dug
— Trooper H. Axtman (@wspd7pio) February 22, 2018
Some snow is expected Friday, likely late morning or early afternoon, said Johnny Burg, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Seattle. Temperatures should rise into the mid- to upper-30s later in the day, with snow turning to rain. In the lowlands, less than an inch of accumulation is expected Friday. Areas farther east and closer to the mountains, such as Gold Bar or Granite Falls, could see several inches of snow, Burg said.
Heading into the weekend, there should be “nothing as cold as what we’ve seen the last couple of days,” Burg said. There could be some rain-snow mix, and snow levels likely will remain low, around 1,000 feet, he said. No significant snowfall is anticipated in the Everett area, but snow is expected to continue in the mountains.
Local school administrators remind families to check for cancellations or late starts during adverse weather such as snow and ice. They can check their district’s web page and keep an eye on local news outlets. Districts also might send emails to parents or make phone calls.
School leaders stay in communication with each other about conditions in surrounding communities, Snohomish Superintendent Kent Kultgen said in a video explaining inclement weather policies. Decisions about two-hour late starts or full-day cancellations are made in the early hours of the morning, based on the need to keep students safe, he said.
School was canceled for students in Stanwood and on Camano Island on Thursday. In Arlington, Edmonds, Everett, Lake Stevens, Lakewood, Marysville, Monroe and Snohomish, school started two hours late. Many buses were on snow routes. Marysville school officials said freezing temperatures and compact snow and ice had created treacherous conditions, and urged “care and caution.”
In Darrington, the roads were icy and there was snow on the ground Thursday, but school started on time. The mountain town tends to get more snow than elsewhere in the county. The district tries to avoid canceling classes, a school staff member said. Granite Falls and Sultan also did not delay or cancel school.
Mukilteo students are on mid-winter break this week.
Kari Bray: 425-339-3439; kbray@heraldnet.com.
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