The record snowfall that paralyzed downtown Everett met its match Thursday – the sun.
Clear skies and temperatures in the low 40s reduced most of the snow to a soggy memory.
Still, temperatures were forecast to dip below freezing Thursday night, leaving the risk of black ice for this morning’s commute.
That could lead to another spate of car accidents and spinouts. On Wednesday and Thursday, more than 200 crashes were reported countywide, officials said.
The same slick, hilly roads early Thursday closed most area schools.
Snow as deep as 101/2 inches was reported near Mill Creek, the National Weather Service in Seattle said.
Wednesday night’s storm and the deep accumulation were unusual, meteorologist Dennis D’Amico said.
Snohomish County sheriff’s deputies were called to 108 vehicle accidents Tuesday and Wednesday. Most of those weren’t serious, spokeswoman Rebecca Hover said.
Washington State Patrol troopers were called to 126 collisions between 4 p.m. Tuesday and 8:30 a.m. Wednesday. No one was badly hurt in those crashes, State Patrol trooper Kirk Rudeen said.
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Photo GalleryOn Thursday, The Everett Clinic reported an increase in patients at its Everett walk-in clinic who had slipped or fallen in the snow. Several people were treated for minor injuries due to car accidents, spokeswoman Catherine Russell said.
The snow didn’t bring only bad news.
Dozens of children raced down a slushy, muddy sledding hill at Forest Park in Everett, delighted at the snow and the day off.
“This is the most snow we’ve had in a long time,” Alex Vincini, 15, said. “I wouldn’t mind more.”
Alex, his friend Jeremy Kuehn, 16, and Alex’s younger brothers, Simon, 6, and Sam, 4, built a 6-foot-tall snowman.
“It’s just another fun-filled snow day,” Jeremy said.
Canceled classes didn’t bring joy to everyone.
One Everett Community College teacher didn’t let the snow get in the way of Thursday’s class.
Elliot Stern gave his lecture over the Internet.
“You’d think a snow day is fun. But when you’re not 5 years old, it really messes things up,” he said.
Temperatures are expected to rise as high as the mid-50s this weekend. Rain is forecast to begin today and stick around, the weather service said.
That’ll make a short season for the new sleds Jennifer Truelove bought her three children Thursday.
“We woke up this morning and it was like, oh, my God!” she said.
Community Transit bus driver Kristi Stipkovich, 43, of Everett, watched as her children raced down the sledding hill.
“Oh, it’s awesome,” she said.
Hot chocolate and movies were in the works for Thursday afternoon, she said.
The additional bonus, she said, was that she wasn’t working Wednesday when traffic was brought to a standstill in Everett.
“I’m so glad I wasn’t driving,” she said.
Herald writers Diana Hefley and Sharon Salyer contributed to this report.
Reporter Jackson Holtz: 425-339-3437 or jholtz@heraldnet.com.
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