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Capitol Hill #seasnow | Tuesday ‘calm’ before the ‘storm’ update — UPDATE: #snobigdeal

UPDATE: It appears we can relax a bit. Enjoy your “snow” day. Still, expect some. And cold temperatures will mean ice. More below.

Original report: Very little of the prophecy for Tuesday morning played out as planned in Seattle. By the afternoon, much of the snow and ice on sidewalks and streets around Capitol Hill had been rained away. But, still, there are signs of things to come. Workers on the Eastside have started their evacuation following reports of “dumping” snow. Seattle Schools decided to punt on the day entirely as reports of snow from around the region — but mostly outside Seattle — roll in. Local weather savant Cliff Mass has backed off the predictions for possible record snowfall on Wednesday but the folks at the National Weather Service say “current forecast of 5 to 10 inches still looking good for the Seattle metro area.”

Tell us what you’re seeing via FacebookTwitter, or email — or call/txt (206) 399-5959.

More notes on the forecasts, an updated timeline, some notes on things to do and more pictures, below.


Here’s an update of our penciling out of the timeline from all the various information sources. Hard to say if Tuesday’s forecasted inches will end up as snow or rain.

  • Tuesday morning: Freezing temperatures and more snow around Seattle with 1 to 3 inches forecast. The morning commute could be a challenge. Travel notes below.
  • Tuesday afternoon: The calm before the storm. A little warmer with low likelihood of precipitation.
  • Tuesday night: “a couple of inches”
  • Wednesday: 4 to 6 inches
  • Wednesday night: more snow but not quite as crazy as first predicted — UPDATE: And Cliff Mass is “scaling back” the forecast even more…
  • Thursday: Um, yeah. More snow

 

  • A tour of Capitol Hill reveals mostly ice and snow free sidewalks and streets as the rain has washed away much of the lingering freeze. LIke any good urban thaw, it’s ugly out there with trash and etc. dotting what’s left of the dirty, dingy snow.
  • While the Hill has been remarkably crime free the last few days, some yahoo found time to tag the Cal Anderson Park reflection pool — picture above.
  • To further bummer the snow party (or give you hope for humanity — your call!), this is the line from the Central Lutheran food bank earlier this afternoon. Be thankful and lend a hand.
  • To lighten things back up, consider swinging by Liberty on 15th Ave E for a local vodka tasting with the boys and girls from the Stranger. There was also talk of sledding at 13th/Republican — hope they wait for the snow. And, hey!, it’s Taco Tuesday at the Wildrose. Seattle U hosts Carlotta Walls LaNier of the Little Rock Nine tonight at 7pm. CANCELED. And that’s about it except for going to the movies (a fine choice). If you know of other entertainments, let us know in comments.
  • Reports from the Hill’s grocery stores tell tales of pre-armageddon consumerism. Apparently it’s busy out there.
  • DPD tells us it is canceling Wednesday night’s design reviews for two Capitol Hill projects. Sooo, we can tell you about those later, it seems.
  • Seattle Public Schools have closed down for the day citing difficulty with bus stops. Many private schools and daycares have followed suit. If you know a Capitol Hill working parent, give them a hug.
  • Metro remains on snow routes
  • SDOT sanders and de-icing trucks are geared up and ready to patrol. If you are planning to drive, you can check out the latest de-icing and clearing work on the city’s new winter weather map. Red routes have been recently plowed and salted. Click for latest updates.
  • We broadcast information frequently via Twitter so check out the @jseattle stream for information.
  • The CHS Capitol Hill traffic cam page is here.
  • PDF maps of priority snow routes for the city are here.
  • Monday’s coverage | Sunday’s coverage

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4 Comments
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caphillres
12 years ago

… was there Sunday afternoon; that’s where we stood investigating whether the reflecting pool was iced over or not.

zeebleoop
zeebleoop
12 years ago

it’ll be the tuesday calm before the calm. weather forecaster is the one career that you can be so consistently bad at and still keep your job.

Silver
Silver
12 years ago

Ellen Eades
RULES FOR SEATTLE RESIDENTS FACING UPCOMING SNOW:
1. Run in circles, scream and shout.
2. Call/text/post every time the forecast changes, or at least once per hour. You should mention: (a) if it is currently snowing where you are; (b) whether it has snowed where you are any time in the last 48 hours; (c) where you live relative to the Olympics, the Cascades, the Sound, Mt. Rainier and Amazon.com headquarters (or Microsoft if you’re on the east side).
3. Bookmark http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/seattle/. Check it hourly.
4. Bookmark Cliff Mass’ blogsite to see if he’s found Leah yet.
5. Check the PI, the Times, the Stranger Slog, KOMO, KIRO, KING-5 and the local blogs. Run comparisons. Generate a spreadsheet of snowfall by hill height and proximity to essential services, like Starbucks.
6. Greet strangers with, “This’ll beat 1996/1985/1969/1955/1943 all right!”.
7. Put chains on your car. Drive on dry streets until they fall off.
8. As soon as there is some actual snow on the road, get in your car and head for one of the local hills. Attempt to park such that at least one lane of traffic is blocked by your vehicle. Walk to the nearest Starbucks by consulting step #5.
9. Once the snow has set into ice, get in your car and attempt to head home. You get extra points for abandoning your car on the 520 floating bridge.
10. Tell all your non-Seattle friends about your adventures in detail. Enlarge your story every time for the next two decades, or until another snowmageddon comes along.