Update for 4:52 p.m., Jan. 19
From King County
The King County Road Services Division reports road conditions continue to be challenging as snow and freezing rain continue to grip the region. This hazardous mix has resulted in the closure of more than 20 roads just in unincorporated areas of King County alone. (See the list below for a complete list of closures.)

A coating of ice on trees is further complicating our travel picture. Road crews report the weight of the ice on vegetation is causing trees and branches to snap and fall onto roadways. So motorists should be on the lookout for falling debris as well as ice on roads.

Residents are also being advised to check storm drains near their property to make sure they are not clogged with snow and ice. Doing so will ensure proper drainage when temperatures finally do warm up and the ice and snow begin to melt.

The Roads Division has an additional word of caution for residents. As tempting as it may be, icy neighborhood roads are no place for sledding. Serious injury can occur when sledders or vehicles lose control. Play it safe and keep winter fun away from roadways.

National Weather Service forecast
Late Afternoon: Rain, possibly mixed with snow, freezing rain, and sleet. Snow level 600 feet. High near 31. North wind around 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Little or no ice accumulation expected. Total daytime snow and sleet accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Tonight: Rain, possibly mixed with snow, freezing rain, and sleet. Snow level 600 feet rising to 4100 feet. Temperature rising to around 34 by 2am. North wind between 6 and 9 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Little or no ice accumulation expected. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Friday: Rain. High near 47. South wind between 8 and 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Update for 1:23 p.m. from King County
Ice warning remains in effect; poor driving conditions, numerous roads closed

The King County Road Services Division reports little improvement in road conditions this afternoon as an ice storm continues to grip the region. In addition to the snow that fell yesterday, a mixture of freezing rain and sleet has turned most roadways into sheets of ice. This hazardous mix has resulted in the closure of about 21 roads just in unincorporated areas of King County alone. (See the list below for a complete list of closures.)

A coating of ice on trees is further complicating our travel picture. Road crews report the weight of the ice on vegetation is causing trees and branches to snap and fall onto roadways. So motorists should be on the lookout for falling debris as well as ice on roads.

Residents are also being advised to check storm drains near their property to make sure they are not clogged with snow and ice. Doing so will ensure proper drainage when temperatures warm up and the ice and snow begin to melt.

The Roads Division has an additional word of caution for residents. As tempting as it may be, icy neighborhood roads are no place for sledding. Serious injury can occur when sledders or vehicles lose control. Play it safe and keep winter fun away from roadways.

This alert will be updated as conditions change.

Original post Thursday A.M.
With freezing rain falling this morning roads, especially non-arterial, will be extremely icy until temperatures rise later in the day. Be careful walking in addition to driving and postpone your trips until later in the day if possible. Freezing rain is expected to be a problem until at least noon.

National Weather Service Warning
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SEATTLE WA
531 AM PST THU JAN 19 2012

...VERY ICY CONDITIONS THIS MORNING OVER SOUTH PARTS OF WESTERN WASHINGTON...
.A WARM FRONT WILL SPREAD RAIN OVER THE TOP OF COLD AIR TRAPPED AT THE SURFACE...RESULTING IN FREEZING RAIN...MODERATE AT TIMES THIS MORNING. THE RAIN IS EXPECTED TO EASE LATE THIS MORNING AND TEMPERATURES ARE EXPECTED TO CREEP ABOVE FREEZING BY ABOUT MIDDAY.

...ICE STORM WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON PST TODAY (**UPDATED TO 2 PM TODAY PST)**...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN SEATTLE HAS ISSUED AN ICE STORM WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON PST TODAY. THE WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT.

* SOME AFFECTED LOCATIONS...HOQUIAM...OLYMPIA...SEATTLE.

* TIMING...DURING THE MORNING HOURS.

* ICE ACCUMULATIONS...ICE ACCUMULATIONS TWO TO FOUR TENTHS OF AN INCH THIS MORNING.

* MAIN IMPACT...TRAVEL WILL BE SEVERELY IMPACTED. POWER OUTAGES ARE LIKELY.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

AN ICE STORM WARNING MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE IMMINENT OR OCCURRING. SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF ICE ACCUMULATIONS WILL MAKE TRAVEL DANGEROUS OR IMPOSSIBLE. TRAVEL IS STRONGLY DISCOURAGED. COMMERCE WILL LIKELY BE SEVERELY IMPACTED. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL...KEEP AN EXTRA FLASHLIGHT...FOOD...AND WATER IN YOUR VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY. ICE ACCUMULATIONS WILL LIKELY LEAD TO SNAPPED POWER LINES AND FALLING TREE BRANCHES THAT ADD TO
THE DANGER.

Press release from King County

The King County Road Services Division reports very treacherous driving conditions this morning due to additional snow and freezing rain that has moved into the area. While crews are making every effort to keep major arterials clear, less traveled roads are likely to be extremely icy. Crews are additionally reporting problems with downed trees and limbs due to heavy ice accumulations.

With more rain or freezing rain in the forecast for the next several hours, motorists are being advised to use extreme caution when traveling. If possible, postpone your trip until later today when temperatures have has a chance to moderate.

Pay close attention to weather forecasts throughout the day and be prepared to adjust your travel plans. Also be prepared to encounter extremely slick conditions and road closures just about everywhere in the county.

And remember, sidewalks and walkways will also be slick!