Recent snowfall across Western Washington brought slushy roads, hazardous conditions, and widespread power outages—especially during the early morning commute.
The wet, heavy snow brought down tree limbs and power lines. At its peak, Puget Sound Energy reported around 21,227 households without power, Snohomish County PUD had 3,113 outages, and Seattle City Light saw about 3,893 customers affected. Fortunately, most power was restored by midday, easing safety concerns and returning stability to homes and businesses (krem.com).
Road conditions told a similar story. Early snow coated local streets and arterials—from Seattle to Olympia—with one to three inches of slushy accumulation, notably around Port Orchard. Thankfully, Interstate 5 remained largely passable, with slush clearing quickly under traffic and warming temperatures (king5.com, krem.com).
Drivers, however, were not in the clear. Temperatures dipped overnight into the teens and low 20s (°F), resulting in refreezing of melted snow and slush into dangerous ice. The National Weather Service issued cold weather advisories across Bellingham, Seattle, and the Cascade foothills, warning of slick conditions through Friday morning and urging caution (KOMO).
Crashes and disruptions were reported across the region—ranging from WSDOT warnings about blocked exits to school districts delaying or canceling classes in affected counties (king5.com, FOX 13 Seattle). Plows worked through the night, and community shelters opened for residents needing warmth or power.
Takeaway:
Even short-lived snow events in Western Washington can have outsized impacts—downing power lines, freezing roads, and creating traffic hazards. Vigilance, proper winter driving practices, and real-time updates are your best allies in getting home safely.
