It’s been a while since Seattle saw a full-blown snow day. Monday’s snowy, slushy, icy roads and sidewalks put a twist in getting around. With schools canceled and a general downshift in schedules across the city, many had no particular place to go, anyhow. But many others stayed on the move, while others tried to deal with the blast of cold weather that added an even bigger challenge to life on the streets. The cold, for some, withered hope. CHS encountered a man in Cal Anderson sitting in the cold snow and told him there was a shelter open nearby. His response: “I don’t care.” In addition to the city’s existing overnight shelters, officials have made extra beds available at the King County Administration Building through Wednesday while a City of Seattle “severe weather shelter” is open at the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall from 7 PM to 7 AM through Tuesday.
Many businesses were closed or closed early because of the snow and ice but there were also plenty of cafes, restaurants, and shops with workers who braved the cold to come in and open up. A warm cafe with a good cup of coffee was a testament to the neighborhood’s walkability and public transit — and also, of course, next month’s rent.
Things will be getting back toward normal Tuesday but maybe a little slowly. Seattle Public Schools announced it will be back open for business Tuesday but on a two-hour delay. UPDATE: Seattle Public Schools has announced its campuses will remain closed Tuesday due to “adverse weather conditions” thanks to the icy roads and sidewalks. More Tuesday updates here — Ice days: Slippery sidewalks and roads across Capitol Hill
