West Seattle Weather Watch: Morning bus changes; newest forecast

(Our afternoon snow coverage, with video, is here; this update will stay atop the home page through the night, with newer stories published beneath it for now)

As originally noted toward the end of our morning/afternoon weather coverage, Metro is going to start the day with buses on snow routes in all areas, just because the forecast is dicey and this kind of decision can’t be made at the last minute. Sound Transit also has made some changes: Route 560 will not stop at Alaska/California, but will pick up at 44th/Alaska instead. And from SDOT via Facebook:

Several SDOT trucks pre-treated snow routes in the late afternoon. Several more with pre-treat this evening. Standing by on whatever this storm delivers.

As for the weather – the evening forecast update isn’t out yet; the one suggesting snow and gusty winds tomorrow is still in effect. (But famous forecaster Cliff Mass has just published an update; he insists no Seattle snow.) We’ll add more information as it comes in tonight, and we’ll be up early to report here on what actually happens – or doesn’t happen – weather- and traffic-wise.

10:46 PM UPDATE: The National Weather Service’s detailed “forecast discussion” is out. Still somewhat hedging bets for the morning.

8 Replies to "West Seattle Weather Watch: Morning bus changes; newest forecast"

  • miws November 21, 2010 (10:24 pm)

    It might be worth noting, that according to the ST website, the routing change for the 560 affects To West Seattle only.

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    From the ST site:

    “Posted Date:11 / 22 / 10 – 12:00 a.m.

    Starting Monday, November 22 and lasting until further notice ST Express routes 545 & 560 will be on snow routing.

    ST Express Route 560 westbound will not serve the following stop:

    SW Alaska St. & California Ave. SW
    During the snow routing, please board ST Express Route 560 at the following stop instead:

    44th Ave. & SW Alaska St.
    560 to Bellevue is unaffected and will operate as scheduled.”

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    The noted change isn’t actually a major one. My best guess is the 560 will either be using the zone on 44th, along the westside of Wells Fargo, or the one immediately north of that, rather than it’s normal zone on Alaska, next to Key Bank. This change probably enables the 560 to have its layover there, rather than its normal layover spot on Alaska, in the vicinity of the American Legion.

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    Now, since the note from ST says eastbound service to Bellevue will remain unchanged, it tells me that the 560 will go around the block, and start its route at its usual zone on Alaska, by Easy Street. However, being well acquainted with Murphy’s Law, I can’t be 100% sure. I’m thinking there’s a slight possibility after leaving the layover zone on 44th, turning right onto Oregon, then right onto California, it may continue down California on its regular route. However, one would think that would be noted in ST’s notice.

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    The notice does make mention of boarding at 44th & Alaska:

    “…..please board ST Express Route 560 at the following stop instead:……”

    which really doesn’t make sense, since that’s basically the end of the line, but that statement is partly what makes me think there’s that slight possibility of it running straight down California, after turning off of Oregon. Might worth it for riders the driver for clarification, if they see the 560 laying over on 44th.

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    Mike

  • bsmomma November 22, 2010 (4:05 am)

    It’s snowing!! I swear I’m like a kid the night before Christmas! Couldn’t sleep…..I’m so excited! Got up to look out the window at about 3:45…..and it was snowing! Yahooooooo!

  • deb November 22, 2010 (4:32 am)

    snowing @ 45th & Wildwood…lower Fauntleroy…hope that it ends soon for the commute…

  • HelperMonkey November 22, 2010 (4:42 am)

    Snowing quite a bit in Arbor Heights!

  • andrea November 22, 2010 (4:54 am)

    bsmomma…I’m like you, giddy as a school kid at all the snow that is coming down right now! I got up at 4am to feed my 4 mo twins, and had to wake my husband up I was so excited to see all the white stuff coming down hard! Even as an ‘adult’ I LOVE snow days!!

  • kevin November 22, 2010 (5:03 am)

    I’m in Arbor Heights too, and I’m estimating a good quarter inch of snow that is sticking to the street and continuing to accumulate. Looking good!

    sorry deb in lower Fauntleroy – but it may be an ugly commute. my dilemma is curtailing my excitement enough to go back to sleep until it gets light outside :)

  • Cami November 22, 2010 (5:05 am)

    Light snow at Alki – sticking. KIRO has reporter at Admiral Jct. and it’s coming down good on the hill.

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