Snow, cold and black ice greet commuters; more snow expected Friday

SEATTLE -- Black ice and snow covered most roadways as a cold winter storm held the Pacific Northwest in its grips.

Many schools and colleges were closed or opened late Thursday morning while collisions blocked roads throughout the region.

Washington State Patrol Trooper Rick Johnson said as many as 17 minor collisions were reported early Thursday morning, making a total of 37 since Wednesday evening in King County. Almost 200 crashes were reported in Snohomish, Skagit, Island and Whatcom counties.

The National Weather Service Seattle says an 1/2" to 1" of snow fell overnight in Seattle, with up to 4" elsewhere in the Puget Sound.

Q13 News viewers sent in gorgeous pictures of the snow and ice.



NWS Seattle said this is only the 5th time in the past 25 years that there has been an inch or more snow in Seattle after Feb. 15.

Cold temperatures left a layer of ice on roads and sidewalks. There were slowdowns stretching for about 10 miles Thursday morning on Interstate 5 in Pierce and Thurston counties.

The National Weather Service reported 1 to 4 inches of snow in the Portland area and another half inch was expected during the day.

What's ahead? Possibly more snow for some, coming in Friday.