SEATTLE -- Meteorologists say the heavy snow falling on Puget Sound is slowly dissipating, but temperatures are expected to dip below freezing tonight, which will create icy roads tomorrow morning.
KING 5 Chief Meteorologist Jeff Renner says the snow that blanketed snow is slowly tapering off.
"In the central Puget Sound area, temperatures will dip in the mid to upper 20s, with outlying areas even colder," said Renner. "That means any slush, any snow, any ice is going to remain. It's going to be very slick tomorrow morning." Check the team's latest forecast here
Snow began falling in Olympia around midnight Tuesday and gradually traveled north to Tacoma and Seattle. By late Wednesday morning, more than 10 inches of new snow fell in Olympia and two inches in downtown Seattle.
Has your route been plowed? Check the City of Seattle map
According to KING 5 meteorologists Jeff Renner and Lisa Van Cise, between 1.8 inches to 17 inches of new snow accumulations were recorded around the Puget Sound region. Here are some of the totals, sorted by county:
- Island: Coveland 7.5", Langley 7.1", Camano Island 6", Coupeville 4.5", Oak Harbor 4"
- King County: Kent 9.8", Federal Way 5.5", Woodinville 5" Issaquah 4.3", Sea-Tac 4.2", Shoreline 3", Bellevue 2", Seattle 2"
- Kitsap: Olalla 5", Poulsbo 4"
- Lewis: Chehalis 17", Winlock 16"
- Mason: Shelton 11", Belfair 7.5"
- Pierce: Orting 8", Tacoma 7.5", Puyallup 6", Parkland 4.8"
- Thurston: Grand Mound 15", Olympia 14", Lacey 13", Yelm 12"
- San Juan: Mount Constitution 9", Friday Harbor 6.5", Lopez Island 1.5"
- Skagit: La Conner 5", Convrete 3.6", Anacortes 3.5", Mount Vernon 2.5"
- Snohomish: Lake Stevens 9", Stanwood 8.7", Lynnwood 5.5"
- Whatcom: Bellingham 1.8"
KING 5 also asked viewers to share how much new snow they received in their backyard.
Heavy snow has been falling in Washington's mountains with up to 2 feet of fresh snow expected by the end of Thursday.
Nearly all school districts in Western Washington canceled classes Wednesday; however, Schools have not determined their plan for Thursday. For the full list of school closures/delays, click here.
Dozens of flights out of Sea-Tac Airport are canceled. Alaska Airlines has canceled most of their flights to and from Seattle and Portland. Alaska is waiving change fees for customers traveling Tuesday through Thursday in those cities. Spokeswoman Bobbie Egan says tickets must be exchanged and travel completed by Jan. 22. Click here to rebook Alaska flights. Other airlines have also canceled flights; click here to check the status of your flight.
Joint Base Lewis McChord released all service members and civilians not deemed mission essential or critical at 3 p.m. Join our live up-to-the-minute blog
Washington State Patrol was responding to hundreds of weather-related accidents around the Puget Sound.
The Washington State Patrol says the key to driving in winter conditions is to take it slow and leave plenty of room between your car and the other cars. Check the snow Futurecast
And if you do get stuck, stay in your car.
“You become like a bowling pin for other drivers so stay in your car, dial 911, we’ll get to you,” said Trooper Keith Leary. "You've got protection in that vehicle. Once you get out of that car, you just become another obstacle for drivers to hit. Drivers are focusing on you and they may slide into you."
Be particularly careful on bridges and other elevated roadways. They are more likely to be frozen over than the surface streets.
Troopers also advise packing an emergency kit with non-perishable food, bottled water, chains and emergency equipment like reflectors and flares, and be sure to carry a blanket or extra clothing in your car to bundle up if you get stuck.
If you are looking to taken public transportation, check the schedules: King County Metro, Sound Transit, Community Transit and Pierce Transit.
We should just see rain by Thursday and Friday. Highs at that point will be in the low to mid 40s.
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