Temperatures around Snohomish County were falling and picture-postcard snow was turning into treacherous ice.
With many people already staying home, the evening commute is expected to be light, but drivers are cautioned to take it slow.
Some schools already are canceling Friday’s classes.
Marysville and Mukilteo School District called off school. Other school districts will be posting information on their Web sites or at SchoolReport.org as decisions are made.
Many drivers heeded warnings to stay home and there were no major traffic problems in Snohomish County by mid afternoon, officials said.
Still, the Washington State Patrol responded to dozens of mostly minor accident throughout the day.
Troopers handled 45 collisions on state roads from south Snohomish County line to the Canadian border just between midnight to 3 p.m. Thursday.
“Our goal is to let drivers know the roads are still very poor with compact snow and ice,” Trooper Keith Leary said.
“People who were involved in these collisions were simply driving too fast for the conditions of the road.” Drivers who end up in a ditch face a $175 ticket and a tow bill, Leary said.
Traffic volumes through the county were mostly light, as many people heeded warning to stay off the roads.
State Department of Transportation officials spent the day watching drivers spin out, spokeswoman Aurora Jones said.
While the snow is forecast to stop tonight, cold temperatures are expected to make the morning commute slippery.
“We will be trying to clear snow and ice off the road,” Jones said.
Roads crews are expected to work through the night spreading sand and deicer.
Still, commuters should check road conditions before they decide to leave home, Jones said.
“If you don’t have to take the trip, we advise you to stay home,” she said.
Slush and snow cover much of U.S. 2 between Snohomish and Stevens Pass. Visibility was low and traffic was crawling along Thursday afternoon.
The section of the highway through Monroe seemed to be in the worst condition, with traffic moving at 15 miles per hour at points. The portion of the highway closest to Everett was in much better condition.
Throughout the day, plows moved up and down the highway, clearing snow and dropping sand.
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