Photo gallery: Fun and frustration with this week’s snow
EVERETT — There’s a chance of rain and snow Tuesday, and roads are likely to remain icy.
By Thursday, there could be a balmy-by-comparison high of 50.
“The warm-up is coming,” said Dana Felton, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Seattle.
Icy roads on Tuesday morning kept schools closed in Edmonds, Mukilteo, Snohomish, Stanwood and Granite Falls.
Classes were delayed two hours in Everett, Marysville, Monroe, Sultan, Lake Stevens, Lakewood, Arlington, Darrington and Index. Late starts also were planned at Everett Community College (two hours) and Edmonds Community College. (three hours).
Throughout Snohomish County, snow accumulation Monday measured one to four inches, Felton said. Another 1.5 inches is possible by Tuesday morning.
That wasn’t too concerning for kids. Every public school in the county had a snow day. Some, including Granite Falls campuses, expected to be closed Tuesday as well.
The trick to sledding on a snow day is to find a steep hill and get a running start, said Beau Brannon, 10, who was on the hill behind Stanwood High School. He landed on his belly on the sled and hollered as he shot down the slope. Beau was with his dad, Jess Brannon.
“It’s been all sledding and mostly laughing,” Jess Brannon said. “Beau will go to run, and then he’ll slip and fall and go down on his face.”
On the same hill, Kevin Powell watched his daughter, Lexi, 15, and son, Jacob, 12. The family is from California.
Powell brought a knee board that’s designed to be used on water but worked just as well in the snow. Jacob made it most of the way down the hill standing on the board before he toppled. Lexi flew down on her knees.
Many area cities, businesses and colleges closed Monday or limited services.
The sheriff’s office counted at least 17 collisions by mid-morning, some involving downed tree limbs and power lines, and a lot of spin-outs. A sliding sport utility vehicle struck a 70-year-old man who was shoveling snow, but the man was not seriously injured.
Thousands of homes also were affected by weather-related power outages.
County public works crews planned to continue plowing into Tuesday. They focus first on major roads and areas around schools. As time allows, they plan to address less-busy roads and neighborhoods. Drivers are reminded to stay clear of the plows, which also spray sand.
Other closures included the city halls in Mill Creek and Mukilteo, the Mountlake Terrace Recreation Pavilion, the Edmonds Senior Center, Everett Community College, University of Washington Bothell, Everett-owned golf courses, and the visitation and volunteer programs at the Monroe Correctional Complex. Edmonds Community College was set to open at noon Monday but later canceled evening classes. Community Transit buses were on snow routes until mid-afternoon.
Lynnwood, Marysville and Mukilteo canceled Monday city council meetings. Garbage collection was limited in Marysville, and recycling service was canceled. Customers without service can put out double the amount on their next regular service day, the city said.
In Lynnwood, College Place Middle School was another snow day destination.
Without a sled, Jennifer Ormbrek and her two kids, Gavin, 8, and Bella, 13, were rolling down the hill near the football field.
“It’s been at least six or seven years since they’ve really been able to play in the snow,” she said.
Ormbrek said it’s been a long time since she rolled down a snowy hillside. “I won’t tell you how many years,” she said. “… since I was a teenager.”
When Ormbrek called her work to say she would be a little late to spend time with her kids, they told her: “Have fun.”
The snow was likely short-lived. Rain is predicted Thursday through Saturday.
Reporter Noah Haglund contributed to this story.
Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @rikkiking.
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