Seattle is skipping fall this year with a hot and smoky October being followed by a wet — and freezing — November. There isn’t any snow on the ground, but the city is getting ready with details of its plans to keep the city’s streets clear this winter. Plus, there will warming centers ready to go already with a cold snap settling into the Pacific Northwest this week.

Temperatures are expected to dip into freezing territory later this week, the King County Regional Homelessness Authority says it will extend hours and provide “Cold Weather Emergency” funding for outreach groups:

Outreach workers and service providers may request emergency funding from RHA for harm reduction supplies, such as warm clothing, wool or synthetic socks and gloves, sleeping bags, blankets, handwarmers, and food. We are also expanding hours at Compass Day Center across from the Ferry Terminal, and expect to stay open overnight on Tuesday through Thursday as daily lows are expected to remain very cold. A printable flyer is attached. Members of the public who would like to support the distribution of harm reduction supplies like coats and blankets may donate funds directly to a local service provider such as Compass Housing Alliance, REACH, Urban League, Salvation Army, DESC, Chief Seattle Club or other organizations that you may be familiar with.

The Seattle Department of Transportation, meanwhile, conducted “a snow plow practice run” last week.

“SDOT prioritizes plowing over 1,200 miles of Seattle’s most critical routes to hospitals, schools, emergency services, and shelters,” the department said in its announcement. “As hard as our crews work, it may take up to 12 hours after a break in the storm to clear all these roads.”

As City workers prepare for snow, SDOT is asking the public to help get ready too:

• View a map to see Seattle’s snow plow routes. During snow events, use this online Winter Weather Response Map to see real-time updates about road conditions and which roads we have recently plowed.
• Talk to your neighbors to see who may need help during a storm. Make a community plan to ensure that all the sidewalks on the block get shoveled. Make sure you have a shovel and salt ready or know who to ask if you need a helping hand.
• Visit the SDOT Winter Weather webpage for more information about how to get around safely when it snows. Visit MetroWinter.com for King County Metro transit updates.
• View this SDOT Blog post to learn more about how you and your neighbors can prepare for snow.

Seattleites can count on SDOT to clear major streets, but crews can’t be everywhere at once. It is everyone’s responsibility to clear ice and snow from the sidewalks around their homes and businesses to keep communities safe. It’s not just the law; it’s the right thing to do so that people of all ages and abilities can travel safely following a snowstorm if it becomes necessary.

 

The city’s winter response map is below.

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