EVERETT — Schools were starting to cancel afternoon programs today after snow dusted the roads and more cold weather was forecast.
Between 2 and 6 inches of snow are expected to fall on the Puget Sound area today. Along some Snohomish County roads, the weather made for dicey driving.
Meteorologists at the National Weather Service have declared a winter weather warning.
Among other things, drivers should be aware of reduced visibility and slick roads because of the snow, meteorologist Dennis D’Amico said.
Washington State Patrol trooper Keith Leary estimated that there were 15 to 20 accidents along I-5 before 10 a.m. An accident involving a disabled semi truck was slowing traffic off I-5 near Highway 526 in south Everett. Near 164th Street SW, an articulated bus spun out on a freeway ramp.
“It’s like a skating rink out here,” said Leary, who was on I-5 near the Tulalip Casino.
Highway 92 between Lake Stevens and Granite Falls also had several spinouts, he said.
The depth of snow accumulations will vary around the region, D’Amico said.
Some drivers reported that people were creating backups by driving too slowly for the conditions. More problems were being caused by people who aren’t prepared for the conditions, said Meghan Pembroke with the state Department of Transportation.
“Just because you have all-wheel drive doesn’t make you invincible,” she said.
Most schools reported on time for classes this morning, but some are beginning to cancel classes.
The Everett School District won’t hold any of its afternoon kindergarten, preschool and ECEAP programs. All afternoon activities, including athletics, also are canceled.
The Lake Stevens School District has canceled afternoon preschool programs.
The Lakewood School District won’t have afternoon ECEAP programs or preschool, either. Its Skill Center closed as well.
All schools are closed in the South Whidbey School District. The school won’t hold parent conferences today, and cancelled its jazz concert, along with all other activities.
A wispy snow was fluttering down on Everett and other parts of Snohomish County this morning.
The weather service earlier predicted less than an inch for Snohomish County, but “we are upping those amounts a little bit,” D’Amico said.
The prediction today is for mostly cloudy skies with highs only reaching the low 30s. Lows could dip into the teens overnight.
In Everett, winds from the north and northwest could reach between 24 and 33 mph with gusts up to 44 mph before 4 p.m.
I-5 and other roads were getting slick with spinouts and other minor collisions reported along I-5 and other highways this morning.
“The commute may be more difficult this afternoon,” D’Amico said.
Stevens Pass is expected to get up to 9 inches of snow today.
Leary, the state trooper, blamed many of the accidents on driving too fast for conditions or braking too hard.
He urged people who spin off the road not to get out of their cars because they could be hit by other cars. They should remain in their cars with their seat belts on, he said.
He offered other advice: “If people are going to venture out, make sure they have a full tank of gas and they have their patience. They have to drive very, very slowly and take their time.”
Eric Stevick writes for the Herald of Everett.
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