information from the City of Seattle

The City continues to work to limit the impact of this winter storm on residents and access to services. The City is preparing for additional 1-3 inches of snow throughout today, and monitoring forecasts for the potential of additional snow ahead of Monday morning’s commute. 

If you can possibly avoid it, do not drive over the weekend.  If you must drive, please take your time, slow down, leave lots of room, and stay safe. Prepare your car with emergency supplies and chains or other traction devices. Remember bridges and raised roadways are likely to be icy, even when the roads are not.

Residents are encouraged to sign up for AlertSeattle for updates and emergency notifications.

Seattle Department of Transportation: SDOT Snow Crews continue to operate two 12-hour shifts. Currently there are 34 snow vehicles out roving Seattle's major arterials with plows, salt spreaders, and de-icer trucks servicing snow and ice routes.  Fourteen hand crews are out responding to sidewalk issues in Downtown and Center City areas. The most high-priority arterials are in fair to good condition with mostly slushy pavement conditions. Our goal is prevent ice build up, with an ultimate goal of achieving "bare and wet" pavement conditions.  Crews are working hard to achieve this goal.  Check out the City's Winter Weather Response Map to locate SDOT's snow and ice routes. And be sure to take a peek at the interactive Winter Weather Snow and Ice Service Map to monitor treatment status of snow routes and lanes. Afternoon crews will focus on maintaining bare and wet pavement conditions.  

Customer Service Centers: The four Customer Service Centers that are normally open on Saturdays – Central, Lake City, Southeast and University – will be closed today.

Human Services Department: The City of Seattle is extending the Severe Weather Shelter at the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall through Sunday night, February 17. The Human Services Department partnered with Mary’s Place to open a downtown emergency shelter for families. The Human Services Department and the Department of Parks and Recreation have also opened a 24-hour warming shelter for families with children at Garfield Community Center through Monday morning, February 11. Eleven individuals stayed at the Garfield Community Center Friday evening. In addition, the Navigation Team was out overnight checking on people living unsheltered and 18 were transported to shelter last night. Staff are checking in with high-risk Aging and Disability Services clients through the weekend to ensure their safety.

Seattle Center: The Seattle Center Armory will operate on a normal schedule today, 7am-10pm. Seattle Center Monorail is closed today. The Museum of Popular Culture (MoPOP) is closed today. The Pacific Northwest Ballet has canceled dance classes for today and tomorrow. All weekend performances of The Sleeping Beauty performances are scheduled to take place. The Pacific Science Center is closed today, and the Seattle Children's Theatre has canceled the 1pm performances of The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. The Seattle Repertory Theatre has canceled the Saturday matinee performance of Last of the Boys. Chihuly Garden and Glass and the Space Needle will open at noon today.

Seattle Public Libraries: Due to weather and road conditions, all branches are closed today. For more information and updates, please visit: www.spl.org.

Seattle Public Utilities: Solid waste collection is dependent on safe road and weather conditions for our drivers. Due to challenging road conditions, garbage, recycling, and good-yard waste collection is cancelled today. Seattle Public Utilities is closely watching the forecast to determine whether crews can safely handle pickups and will notify customers of any delays. SPU will work on make-up collection as soon as possible. In addition, the North Transfer Station is closed but the South Transfer Station will open at 10 am. SPU crews are also supporting SDOT crews.  For more information, please visit: https://atyourservice.seattle.gov/2019/02/06/solid-waste-collection-resumes-feb-6/. 

Seattle City Light: Crews are standing by to respond to outages and as of 8 am are responding to outages for approximately 650 customers. Please be patient as our crews may be impacted by adverse road conditions. If you see a downed line, keep your distance and report it at 206-684-3000 or 911. You can learn more information about how to stay safe and warm here and also track system outages with this map. Follow Seattle City Light on twitter for tips and updates @SEACityLight.

Seattle Parks and Recreation: Many Seattle Parks and Recreation programs and facilities will be impacted by inclement weather today. Please check back here and on their Twitter page for regular updates. The Garfield Community Center (2323 E. Cherry Street) has been opened as a warming and overnight emergency shelter for families with children, and people living in vehicles. Adults are welcome at this facility as well. This shelter will operate 24 hours a day through the morning of Monday, February 11. Click here for more information and other severe weather resources from the Seattle Human Services Department. Overview of Seattle Parks and Recreation program and facility impacts for Saturday, February 9:

• Recreation Programs: All recreation and aquatics programs, including registered programs, are canceled.
• Community Centers: The following community centers are open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for drop-in use: Loyal Heights, Magnolia, Green Lake, Bitter Lake, Montlake, Northgate, Meadowbrook, Van Asselt, Rainier Beach, and High Point community centers. Garfield Community Center is open for drop-in use and is open 24/7 as a warming and overnight emergency shelter.
• Pools: Meadowbrook Pool and Rainier Beach Pool are scheduled to operate on a modified schedule for drop-in use from noon to 2:30 p.m. Please call the pool before visiting to confirm hours.
• Rentals: All Recreation facility rentals are canceled.
• Teen Life Centers: All Teen Life Centers are closed.
• Youth Basketball: All youth basketball games and practices are canceled Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Youth basketball games will be rescheduled the weekend of February 16 & 17.
• Small Craft Centers: The Mount Baker Rowing and Sailing Center and the Green Lake Small Craft Center is closed.
• Amy Yee Tennis Center: The Amy Yee Tennis Center is closed and all programs are canceled.
• Athletic Fields: Athletic field rentals/games are canceled. Some fields are open for winter play.
• Golf Courses: All golf courses are closed. Courses are open to non-motorized winter recreation (please keep off putting greens and away from environmentally sensitive areas near the creeks at Jackson and West Seattle).

Parks are open; however, we encourage visitors to use caution. Snow and ice can cause tree branches to snap. Please stay out from under trees and avoid forested park areas during the current weather conditions.

Seattle Preschool Program: Preschools at Seattle Public Schools are closed today. For community-based preschool sites, follow your preschools inclement weather policy.

Seattle Fire Department: No current impacts to services provided to the public. All SFD apparatus are operating with chains on tires.

Seattle Municipal Courts: The court is scheduled to hold the in-custody arraignment calendar on Saturday, February 9.

City Council: The City Council has no scheduled events today.

General Winter Weather Tips for Residents:  

• Keep warm winter clothing at the ready: gloves/mittens; hats; heavy coats; sweaters; long underwear; heavy socks.
• Have nonperishable food on hand that does not need to be heated.
• Make sure you have adequate propane/charcoal briquettes for barbeques/camping stoves that can be used to heat food outdoors. To avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, keep electric generators and barbecue grills outdoors and away from your house or apartment.
• Keep water dripping from faucets so pipes don’t freeze.