SDOT snow plows
We might finally see some snow this weekend.
Does anyone else think that winter has been a month off this season? Starting this Sunday, February 3 until the middle of next week, we’re expected to have the coldest air of the season. Here’s what the National Weather Service is predicting:
SATURDAY: ?️ Lingering shower.
SUNDAY: ?️/?️ Scattered showers, some snow may mix in, north of Seattle. There’s a potential for snow showers in all areas Sunday night.
MONDAY: ?️ Chance of snow showers, mainly during the morning hours, Seattle south.
We’ve prepared our snow and ice equipment & the plans are set – we’re ready!
Salt – winter weather preparations
We’ve been monitoring conditions and following weather reports and do so around the clock/ 24-hours a day all year long with a direct line to the National Weather Service and live Doppler radar feeds.
Our crews will go on 12-hour shifts beginning Sunday, February 3, at noon. We’ll have about 33 trucks per shift pretreating the roadways.
Loader pours salt into the back of an SDOT truck.
Our commitment:
SDOT snow and ice team
Our goal is to achieve bare and wet pavement on snow and ice routes within 12 hours after a significant lull in the storm.
We commit to using all the tools at our disposal to make sure the people of Seattle and our interagency partners are fully informed and involved in our snow response. We work together with Metro to keep bus routes as clear of snow and ice as possible. The goal is to enable people to get around the city by bus, making it easier to leave their cars at home.
We plow the busiest streets that connect Seattle’s neighborhoods and the greater Puget Sound region. These are routes to hospitals, schools, and major employers but also streets that are frequently used by first responders and buses.
Plan your trip + some safety tips.
During major winter storms, plan your trip by seeing where the snow plows have been and viewing traffic cameras. View the interactive Winter Weather Response Map
Know the routes on the Winter Weather snow and ice route map.
Follow us on Twitter at @SDOTtraffic for real-time traffic updates.
✔️ Drivers
If you need to drive, please take extra care when traveling, and if possible avoid commuting in the snow. Drivers have some special responsibilities. If driving is unavoidable, you’re responsible for outfitting your cars for winter weather, including chains or other traction devices.
✔️ Safety
Look out for each other. If you’re driving, be extra mindful of pedestrians and people biking. If you’re walking or biking, make sure you can see and be seen. We have safety lights if you need any! Let us know. Drivers, be sure to turn your headlights on.
✔️ Trains, buses, & ferries
If you are plan on using the bus, train, or ferry, know before you go:
- See the latest information on Metro’s blog. They’ll keep their eye on the King County Metro Transit commute from 6-9 AM and again from 3-7 PM and will post about service disruptions.
- Follow Metro’s RSS feed for real-time updates, bookmark their blog, or visit the Metro Online website for additional information and services.
- If you take the train, find Sound Transit alerts and information here.
- For Ferry info, please visit Washington State Ferries’ Travel Alert Bulletins, Kitsap Transit’s Fast Ferry, and/or WSDOT’s ferries site regarding your ferry commute.
You can also follow:
✔️ Outages
If you notice a downed power line, DO NOT touch or approach it. Please report downed wires or outages to Seattle City Light at 206.684.7400. Check out City Light’s outage map and tips for what to do when your power goes out. When traffic lights are out, treat the intersection as a 4-way stop. You can also stay connected, even when the power is out by downloading Puget Sound Energy’s (PSE) mobile app, to track and report power outages in your neighborhood and check status and estimated restoration times, all in the palm of your hand. Follow PSE on Twitter.
✔️ Fallen trees or branches
If you notice fallen trees or other debris blocking streets or sidewalks, contact our 24-hour dispatch crews at 206.386.1218.
✔️ Park facilities
Park programs and facilities may be affected. Please check the @SeattleParks Twitter channel, blog, and/or website.
✔️ Winter storm planning
For information on planning for the winter storm season, like what you should include in your emergency preparedness kit, check out Take Winter By Storm, our multi-agency preparedness site. For the latest emergency notifications, sign up for Alert Seattle to get alerts via text, tweet, and more. You can also follow the National Weather Service Seattle’s Twitter.
Learn about our Winter Weather Response.
Check out our Winter Weather Response webpage for a winter weather response map, winter weather brochure, and snow route map. Learn about our winter environment and what to expect if it snows.
We’re ready!
