End of week Seattle snow, school closures, travel impacts across western WA

The FOX 13 Weather Team has issued a Weather Alert Day for Friday morning as snow continues to fall in the lowlands and mountain passes across western Washington.

This article was updated throughout the day with new information.For continued updates, we have a live updates blog for Saturday available. 

2:36 p.m.: I-90 at Snoqualmie Pass to remain closed overnight: WSDOT

WSDOT announced that I-90 from North Bend to Ellensburg will remain closed overnight. 

2:33 p.m.: WSDOT blasts ‘selfish’ drivers parking on highway, shutting down US-2 near Stevens Pass

Chelan County Emergency Management shared an urgent and scathing message from WSDOT on Friday afternoon aimed at "selfish" drivers parking on the highway near Stevens Pass.

What they're saying:

"THIS IS A HIGHWAY. YOU CAN'T PARK THERE," the message read. "But because so many people did anyway, US 2 is now CLOSED between mileposts 55 and 85 because our plows are not able to clear the road. If you have selfishly chosen to block our crews and first responders, come move your car off the highway."

As of 3:30 p.m., it appears most of those cars in the photo above have been removed. However, WSDOT's website says US-2 remains closed in both directions because of this situation.

2:00 p.m.: Ski resorts in western WA receive 19" – 42" in the last 48 hours

We took a look at the snow totals for the ski resorts in the Washington Cascades and noticed resorts have stacked between 19 and 32 inches within the last 48 hours. While this is great news after a dissapointing ski season, some resorts experienced power outages that forced limited operations or full closures on Friday.

Crystal Mountain (Closed due to power outages)

• 24 hours: 15"
• 48 hours: 23"

Stevens Pass

• 24 hours: 21"
• 48 hours: 32"

White Pass

• 24 hours: 21"
• 36 hours: 42"

Summit at Snoqualmie

• 24 hours: 20"
• 48 hours: 29"

11:27 a.m.: Slick, slushy driving conditions in Auburn, WA

Washington State Patrol Trooper Rick Johnson posted a photo of a collision on social media Friday morning. He said this was on eastbound SR-18 near Auburn/Black Diamond Road. The Lexus was reportedly driving too fast for the conditions. No injuries were reported.

11:11 a.m.: Tens of thousands of power outages reported in western WA

By late morning, Puget Sound Energy and Seattle City Light reported well over 25,000 power outages across the region. 

More information and links to power outage maps can be found on the FOX 13 power outage update. 

11:10 a.m.: Crews work to reopen SR-410 after a foot of new snow

WSDOT announced that SR-410 remains closed from Farman St. in Enumclaw to Greenwater due  to multiple downed trees caused by a foot of 12 inches of new snow. 

Crews are asking drivers to expect delays and seek alternate routes to Crystal Mountain. 

10:46 a.m.: Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium closes due to snowy conditions

10:31 a.m.: Both directions of US-2 at Stevens Pass reopen after incident

WSDOT announced that an incident on US-2 has been cleared and all lanes in both directions have reopened. 

Earlier, both directions of US-2 at Tye River Road Northeast were closed due to an incident that brought emergency responders to the scene.

10:28 a.m.: Police respond to multiple winter weather crashes in Renton, WA

"This morning, Renton Police have already responded to several preventable collisions due to snow and icy conditions," the department wrote. "Please stay safe out there!"

The Renton Police Department listed off a few winter weather driving tips:

• Decrease your speed – go slower than normal and adjust for conditions.
• Increase your following distance – give yourself an extra 5 to 10 seconds behind the vehicle ahead.
• Avoid sudden braking or accelerating to maintain traction and prevent slippery roads.
• Clear snow and ice from windows, mirrors, lights and sensors before driving.
• Use low beam headlights for better visibiltiy.
• Approach bridges, overpasses, shaded areas carefully – they typically freeze first.

10:25 a.m.: UW cherry blossoms and snowfall in Seattle

9:50 a.m.: Ground delay at SEA Airport in WA

A ground stop is underway at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on Friday morning. 

The FAA announced after 9 a.m. that departures from Sea-Tac Airport were delayed due to snow and ice. 

The average delay is about 62 minutes.

As of 9:45 a.m., Sea-Tac had 68 flight delays and five cancelations.

It is currently snowing hard on our Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) Live Camera.

9:45 a.m.: Crystal Mountain shuts down operations due to power outage

After a long-awaited heavy snowfall, Crystal Mountain had to suspend all lift operations due to severe weather, ongoing power outages and the WSDOT closure on Hwy 410.

Fortunately, if the resort opens this weekend, skiers and boarders will get a chance to enjoy seriously deep, untouched powder. It's currently snowing hard on the mountain, and the snow stake webcam shows 23 inches of new snow in the last 24 hours.

9:41 a.m.: SR-410 to remain closed between Enumclaw and Greenwater

WSDOT announced that SR-410 will remain closed between Enumclaw and Greenwater until further notice due to low visibility, heavy snow and fallen trees. There is no estimated time for the road to reopen.

9:36 a.m.: 23,000 PSE customers experience power outages

According to Puget Sound Energy, there are 224 active outages impacting 23,012 customers across western Washington.

9:10 a.m.: Interview with WSDOT on current road conditions

8:44 a.m.: SR-410 closed east of Enumclaw, WA due to snow and downed trees

8:22 a.m.: US-12 at White Pass closed in both directions for avalanche control

8:15 a.m.: I-90 at Snoqualmie Pass closed in both directions due to heavy snow, spinouts

According to WSDOT, both eastbound and westbound traffic on I-90 at Snoqualmie Pass are closed due to heavy snow, collisions and spinouts. At around 7 a.m., crews announced westbound traffic was closed at Easton due to crashes. At around 8:15 a.m., WSDOT updated its website saying eastbound traffic was closed.

8:06 a.m.: Eastbound SR-18 closed at Issaquah Hobart

Washington State Patrol Trooper Rick Johnson announced that eastbound State Route 18 at Issaquah Hobart was closed due to multiple spinous caused by semi-trucks. 

8:00 a.m.: Few WSDOT webcams operational on I-90 Snoqualmie Pass

While a handful I-90 traffic cameras are working on WSDOT’s website, the majority are currently offline.

7:05 a.m.: WSDOT closes westbound I-90 at Snoqualmie Pass due to heavy snow, spinouts

6:00 a.m.: FOX 13 Seattle team weather coverage for lowland, mountain snowfall

5:30 a.m.: Multiple school closures, delays in western WA for Friday, Mar. 13

Some western Washington school districts are delayed on Friday, Mar. 13 because of winter weather. Check the status of your district.

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