Frigid temperatures lock snowfall in place, keep roads icy

SEATTLE — A winter storm that swept across Western Washington Sunday brought snow that halted air travel, turned roads icy, cut power to thousands and caused temperatures to plummet, setting record lows.

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On the lower end of the spectrum, Seattle received 5 inches of snow while Port Angeles saw a whopping 16 inches. Bellingham got 9.5 inches, Mukilteo 7.3, and Fall City, 6.5.

The temperature in Seattle hit a high of 23 on Monday, the coldest day in 31 years. Last time it was that cold? Dec. 29, 1990 when it was 22.

Thousands were stranded at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport Sunday. Hundreds of flights were canceled or delayed at SEA throughout the day on Sunday. Monday at SEA, more than 260 flights were canceled, according to FlightAware as of 7 p.m.

The snow also cut power to some around the Sound. Monday night, nearly 2,000 Puget Sound Energy customers were still without power.

PSE says the hardest hit areas have been in Skagit, Whatcom and Kitsap counties.

The snow and ice continues to cause problems on the road for drivers and riders who are brave enough to venture out. King County Executive Dow Constantine directed Metro to shift bus service to the Emergency Snow Network starting Monday, continuing until at least Tuesday, reducing service to about 60 core routes that Seattle and other areas made a priority for snow and ice removal.

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In Pierce and Thurston counties, troopers responded to 166 collisions, according to Washington State Patrol Trooper Robert Reyer. Trooper Rick Johnson said that since the snow started falling in King County on Christmas Day, there were 184 collisions and a total of 615 other incidents such as cars being stuck in the snow.

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With the anticipation that temperatures will continue to be below freezing, Seattle opened additional emergency shelters Monday evening. Seattle Public Utilities also canceled garbage and recycling pick-up for Monday and Tuesday.

While the snow was a headache for some, it turned into a playground for others, with some people sledding, snowboarding and skiing on roads usually occupied by cars.

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