Seattle streets were sled-appropriate during December 2008′s storm (Image: Donnie Dinch via Flickr)

It won’t match the snow days produced by 2008′s snowstorm but a “special weather statement” (ALL CAPS!) from the National Weather Service says this Seattle cold snap could finally pay off Monday for anybody wishing for snow. Nobody is wishing for freezing rain. But we might get that too:

ALONG THE COAST…THE LIGHT SNOW WILL QUICKLY TRANSITION TO DRIZZLE OR LIGHT RAIN AT THE BEACHES ON MONDAY AFTERNOON. INLAND FROM THE BEACHES…PLACES LIKE ABERDEEN AND MONTESANO WILL REMAIN AT OR BELOW FREEZING…CAUSING A GRADUAL MIXING WITH FREEZING DRIZZLE. MEANWHILE ON MONDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING…LIGHT SNOW WILL SPREAD ACROSS MUCH OF THE REMAINDER OF WESTERN WASHINGTON.
SNOWFALL AMOUNTS WILL REMAIN LIGHT…WITH ACCUMULATIONS GENERALLY REMAINING UNDER ONE INCH.

OVERNIGHT AND EARLY TUESDAY MORNING…SNOW WILL TRANSITION TO LIGHT FREEZING RAIN OR FREEZING DRIZZLE OVER THE PUGET SOUND LOWLANDS AND IN THE SOUTHWEST INTERIOR OF WASHINGTON. FREEZING PRECIPITATION WILL ALSO BE LIGHT…BUT IT MAY BE ENOUGH FOR SLIPPERY AND HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS ON TUESDAY MORNING ON UNTREATED
ROADWAYS AND SIDEWALKS.

For what it’s worth, 2013 has been a mostly un-snowy year in Seattle with some spring flakes and a dry but seriously cold streak to start the year. Last week, our southern neighbors in Portland did the whole West Coast city snow freakout thing.

You can check out area streets with the CHS Cams page and the latest local conditions thanks to weather station KWASEATT169.

UPDATE: Any precipitation seems less likely as of early Monday night — but Metro has released a service bulletin just in case:

Metro preparing for an icy Tuesday morning commute

Some bus service may be reduced; sign up for alerts

If cold weather and difficult travel conditions persist into the Tuesday morning commute,Metro may substitute other available buses in place of articulated electric trolley buses in the Seattle area. That move provides service using buses that are better able to operate during winter weather but could reduce the number of bus trips during the commute.

Metro is monitoring the forecast and changing conditions overnight and will determine if this step is necessary. Riders should prepare for possible service delays and crowdingTuesday morning in case some bus trips are canceled or rerouted, and road conditions make travel more difficult.

Travel conditions are expected to be a challenge until warming temperatures predicted in forecasts arrive later.

For riders:

• Sign up to receive Transit Alerts for the routes you use.

• Check the print and online timetables for snow route maps.

• If the weather is bad, check the color-coded status map on Metro Online before you travel.

• Be patient. Buses are not always on schedule in snowy or icy conditions. Increased ridership during bad weather can result in crowded buses and a longer-than-usual wait on the phone for the Customer Information 206-553-3000.

• Your favorite smartphone apps and online trackers may not be reliable when buses are rerouted or significantly delayed.

• Dress warmly for the walk to the bus stop, expect delays, and wear appropriate footwear for the weather.

• Head for bus stops on main arterials or at major transfer points such as park-and-ride lots, transit centers, or shopping centers.

• Riders should wait at bus stops at the very top or very bottom of hills, because buses are often unable to stop for passengers on inclines.