Date:
Monday, January 28, 2008
Contact:
Greg Phipps (206) 440-4788 (Seattle); Meagan
McFadden (509) 654-0697 (Snoqualmie Pass); Kelly Stowe (253) 536-6228 (Tacoma); Jeff Adamson (509) 669-8778 (Wenatchee); Al Gilson (509) 990-1504 (Spokane)
SEATTLE – WSDOT is ready for round two of the January snow and ice. Are you?
Snow blanketed most of the state overnight and forecasters anticipate another round of cold weather and snow accumulations Monday night into Tuesday morning. The hardest hit areas include Stevens and Snoqualmie passes and parts of eastern Washington.
”We are expecting more of the same overnight and into tomorrow,” said Chris Christopher, WSDOT State Maintenance Engineer. “WSDOT had success with its proactive ice and snow-clearing plan Sunday night and crews will be working from the same plan tonight.”
The forecast calls for snow tonight changing to rain in the early morning in Puget Sound. As the storm moves east, however, the snow totals will begin to pick up. East King, east Snohomish and east Pierce counties will see some snow while Stevens and Snoqualmie passes are expecting two feet of snow between 6 p.m. Monday and 6 p.m. Tuesday.
In Spokane and surrounding counties WSDOT puts about 65 plows on the road during a major snowstorm. This includes Sherman Pass on SR 20. WSDOT is concerned about the upcoming snow on Tuesday that will be followed by high winds and drifting snow in the Palouse and central basin. This could lead to highway closures.
WSDOT’s snow and ice plan
Crews will apply deicer to keep the roads from freezing up. They will be out overnight to keep roads clear of snow. WSDOT focuses on interstates and primary arterials first and attacks the smaller state highways once the main roads are clear.
Some examples of workers in the field:
- Pierce/Thurston counties – 22 trucks
- Olympic and Kitsap peninsulas – 12 trucks
- Everett/Seattle/Bellevue – 50 trucks
- Stevens Pass – 10 trucks
- Snoqualmie Pass – 15 trucks
What can drivers do?
The timing of the storm suggests drivers will have their best luck with the roads if they can delay their trip until after 10 a.m. Tuesday.
If you must go out, please remember:
- On ice and snow, take it slow
- Pay extra attention to bridges, curves and shady spots
- Stay back from snow clearing equipment
- Allow more time to travel
- Keep a safe driving distance from the vehicle in front of you
- Turn off the cruise control
At www.wsdot.wa.gov/winter, drivers can find a list of winter emergency kit items, more safe driving tips and information on mountain pass travel advisories.
Know before you go:
- WSDOT offers several ways to get up-to-date traffic and construction information from our Web site at www.wsdot.wa.gov before you leave your home or office
- At www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/weather drivers can look at weather forecasts and road temperatures throughout the state
- At www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/trafficalerts, the color-coded map shows statewide traffic conditions, including construction delays and highway incidents
- 511 - This driver information phone line provides real-time traffic, incident and closure information. TTY users can call 1-800-833-6388
- Drivers with Web service on their cellular phones and PDAs can access the Seattle area traffic flow map, ferry schedules, mountain pass reports at www.wsdot.wa.gov/small
- Have a passenger call 511 for current traffic and weather information
Forecasters say this is just one of three major storms expected over the next week. So you might want to keep this information and put it in your glove compartment for later.
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