It’s the day after Christmas, but since the holiday happened on a Sunday this time, many are “observing” the holiday today. So we start the day with these notes:

TRANSPORTATION

*Low bridge still closed
*Metro on Sunday schedule
*No Water Taxi today
*Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth state ferry route on 2-boat schedule
*Free parking today in areas of the city with on-street paid parking
*See citywide traffic cams here, West Seattle-relevant cams here

OTHER SERVICES/FACILITIES

*No USPS services except Priority Mail Express
*Banking holiday
*Libraries open today
*Most Seattle Parks facilities closed

WEATHER & TIDE

*Special Weather Statement for increased slide risk with heavy rain through Tuesday
*’King tide’ high tide at 7:55 am today – 13.0 feet

Got news? Text us at 206-293-6402,or email westseattleblog@gmail.com if non-urgent – thank you!

2:24 PM We’re launching our pm coverage with another photo of another West Seattle hill littered with vehicles whose drivers were thwarted by ice – the texter reports, “Lander St west of Admiral has several vehicles that have had to be abandoned, including an EMT vehicle. Please do not attempt to drive down closed roads!” We showed several other trouble spots in our first report on this icy day. The other big news right now – Metro just announced that service will resume at 4 pm, with Emergency Snow Network routing. Plus, the temperature’s finally risen to freezing. Carrying over our lists from earlier:

CLOSED/CANCELED SERVICES
-Low bridge closed for ‘mechanical issues’ (see 9:03 pm update below)
-All Metro bus service has resumed with Emergency Snow Network routes only until 4 am Saturday
–King County Water Taxi service CANCELED for reset of day
–Update: Sea-Tac (SEA) operations now has 2 of 3 runways open
–All Seattle Public Library locations closed
–West Seattle Food Bank closed
–West Seattle/Fauntleroy YMCA closed
–ArtsWest closing performance of “Q Brothers Christmas Carol” canceled
-Business closures/changes – see the list here
*Garbage/recycling/etc. canceled again today – no pickups until next week

OTHER INFOLINKS
–Winter Storm Warning until 7 pm
–SDOT Winter Weather Response map (which roads it’s serviced and how recently)
–Citywide traffic cams
–West Seattle traffic cams
–County traffic cams (choose “south” tab for White Center)
–Washington State Ferries alerts

Updates to come. Info and photos appreciated – westseattleblog@gmail.com or (text) 206-293-6302 – thank you!

3 PM: That’s the SDOT camera at California/Alaska, which a few people pointed out was aimed in an almost unrecognizable direction earlier. SDOT has aimed it back at the heart of Walk-All-Ways. Speaking of The Junction, a mail truck got into trouble on the north edge, SW Genesee east of 42nd:

On the other side of the mail truck is a multiple-vehicle icy-hill pileup. (Thanks to Viacheslav for the photo, and thanks to everyone who’s been sending photos – got some non-crash ones to add a bit later too.)

4:09 PM: The thaw is on! We can hear ice sliding off some of the shrubs and trees outside. So let’s look at a beauty shot – this is from Michelle R-R:

Also of note – Sea-Tac/SEA has announced that two of its three runways are now open. … Added to the list above, ArtsWest has canceled tonight’s closing performance of “Q Brothers Christmas Carol” (thanks for the tip).

5:27 PM: The temperature hasn’t warmed as much as forecast, but it is above freezing. Some went out and ice-skated today, like Claire, who recorded this video at Luna/Anchor Park:

Somebody else tweeted video of skating on a West Seattle street.

6:17 PM: The low bridge is closed for the second time today. … The melting has accelerated; we can hear it in the roof gutters/downspout.

6:29 PM: Trouble on the low bridge too. SDOT reports a westbound lane closed at 1st Ave.; tipster Todd says it’s a semitruck in trouble. … Still adding to our business closures/changes list; a texter pointed out that Metropolitan Market is closing at 8 pm.

8:30 PM: Melting has begun but that doesn’t mean the road ice is gone, as commenter Amy warns below … Metro says it will return to regular routing at 4 am Saturday, with a few suspended routes including West Seattle’s 125 … Sea-Tac/SEA says it’s expecting “near-normal operations” tomorrow … Though most of us are likely glad to see the ice go, it brought some beauty in its own way, this photo by Rosalie Miller shows us:

That’s thyme – “frozen in thyme,” as Rosalie quipped.

8:55 PM: As mentioned in comments, the westbound high bridge is blocked at the moment just east of the 99 overpass. It appears to be a towing operation, possibly related to the problem mentioned earlier. The low bridge appears to still be closed too, both ways.

9:03 PM: Just got an SDOT update about the low bridge:

The Spokane Street Bridge (Low Bridge) remains closed to all travelers as Seattle Department of Transportation crews continue to work to diagnose and repair mechanical issues which have caused the Spokane Street Bridge to stay in the open position. The bridge failed to close properly after a power outage was resolved and is stuck in an “open” position late this afternoon. Currently, there is no time estimate of when the bridge will re-open. SDOT advises people who drive, walk, bike, and roll on the low bridge to find alternate routes.

Also, WSF says the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route will be on one-boat service Saturday morning due to a staffing shortage.

10:45 PM: The westbound high bridge is open again.

(Latest images from SDOT high-bridge camera and California/Admiral camera)

5:45 AM: The ice arrived overnight and right now, much has come to a standstill as a result:

SUSPENDED/CLOSED/CANCELED
-All Metro/ST bus service suspended
–King County Water Taxi service CANCELED for reset of day
–Update: Sea-Tac (SEA) operations limited
–All Seattle Public Library locations closed
–West Seattle Food Bank closed
–West Seattle/Fauntleroy YMCA closed
-Business closures/changes – we’re making a list here
*Garbage/recycling/etc. canceled again today – no pickups until next week

The Winter Storm Warning remains in effect, with “heavy mixed precipitation including freezing rain” expected to linger for a while.

OTHER INFOLINKS
–SDOT Winter Weather Response map (which roads it’s serviced and how recently)
–Citywide traffic cams
–West Seattle traffic cams
–County traffic cams (choose “south” tab for White Center)
–Washington State Ferries alerts

7 AM: Metro has published an update and promises its next one at 10 am, so its services, including the Water Taxi, will remain suspended for at least several more hours. … The low bridge remains closed, and the SDOT map shows official closures on several notorious West Seattle hills including SW Genesee east of Avalon and SW Morgan west of 35th.

7:30 AM: We’ve had multiple reports of “flashes” and while the ones a few hours ago didn’t result in outages, we have one reported now – 218 customers in what looks to be mostly Puget Ridge:

As you can see on the City Light map, this is the biggest one in the city currently, but there’s a risk of more as the ice weighs down wires and branches.

8:10 AM: Ferry service is back to two boats on the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth run, so we’re moving the WSF alerts link to the “infolinks” list above. … Speaking of info, we’re also interested in business changes/closures, so please text/email if you have anything to announce (westseattleblog@gmail.com or 206-293-6302). … We’re making that list here.

8:42 AM: More streets reported closed/blocks because of driver mishaps on the ice – SW Oregon east of California, SW Holden east of 35th. (Added – texted photo of SW Oregon)

Low bridge has now REOPENED.

9:09 AM: More crash reports from SDOT – Fauntleroy/Edmunds, Marine View Drive/SW 102nd. … Alki resident who just went up California from Harbor to The Admiral District reports “ice rink.” … That was from Debra, who also reports cars stuck in icy Admiral Safeway lot. … Speaking of Admiral, here’s a texted photo of Admiral Way at 47th AFTER a plow went through:

9:36 AM: SPU just made the call, no collection today either, no makeups tomorrow; if you were skipped this week, you can put out double next week.

10 AM: Metro says its service suspension will continue until at least 2 pm. Our business closures/changes list continues to lengthen. Lots of people reporting icy roads, parking lots, driveways, sidewalks.

10:41 AM: The SDOT truck above was seen on Beach Drive near Jacobsen, where Creighton reports: “Beach Drive at Jacobson zero traction, all ice. City deicing truck passed by at 9, but not able to scrape off any ice with its blade.” … Also this road report from Catherine: “48th Ave. SW at Genesee, a car tried to go southbound on 48th and is now sitting sideways across the street. The fire department is out of cones and neighbors are trying to find caution tape to block off the road at Genesee and 48th.”

11:30 AM: Above is a photo of Lincoln Park’s south parking lot, sent by Kelsey, who says it was left open last night and shouldn’t have been, so now drivers are going in and getting stuck. Avoid.

11:56 AM: Above is a photo from Paul showing the chain-reaction crash on the east side of Fauntleroy/Edmunds. Might be the same crash we mentioned earlier – most crashes are not getting cleared quickly for obvious reasons (including how backed up tow-truck drivers are). … New SDOT director Greg Spotts tweeted that he’s been out touring the city to check on crews and says the department’s West Seattle crews are doing excellent work. … We’re continuing to update the business closure/change list – including when we get word that businesses have indeed opened (Thunder Road Guitars [WSB sponsor] just did). Also, we’ll keep this report going for the next hour or so and then switch over to pm coverage.

12:21 PM: Water Taxi now canceled for the rest of the day.

12:34 PM: Thanks to the texter who reported power restored on Puget Ridge. SCL map shows all but 25 customers from that outage are back on. Meantime, an encouraging sign … the temperature has made it to 30 degrees.

1:14 PM: We’re going to end this roundup with a warm image .. Brian sent a photo of just-baked cookies, declaring this a “great day for baking”:

If you can do some baking too, this is the third day the south location of West Seattle Coworking (9030 35th SW) is collecting homemade cookies for The Christmas People – WSC’s Ross says, “We will continue collecting cookies all day and will add an extra hour to drop off ending at 4:00 p.m. instead of 3:00 p.m. that will give more time to people. Many are stuck home in a cold day so I could be a perfect day for baking cookies and do something good. Yesterday was kind of slow so we hope to make it up today.” They’ll also accept cookies 9 am-3 pm tomorrow.

(For PM coverage, go here)

5:09 PM: That’s a texted photo of Fairmount Avenue – through the trees – where several drivers got into trouble this afternoon. It’s one of the icy, hilly streets you’ll want to stay off again tonight, even before the forecast snow/freezing rain moves in. Speaking of which, we’re now officially under an upgraded alert, a Winter Storm Warning, which took effect at 4 pm. The National Weather Service still warns that what’s on the way is a “complex mix” and says that it’ll be snow until about 2 am, then freezing rain, with temperatures starting to rise. In the meantime, if the freezing rain really does arrive, risks include power outages from ice-laden branches and wires, so keep everything charged. The well-below-freezing weather also has affected water service for some – we just got a text about a water outage at 32nd/Cloverdale, which is now on the Seattle Public Utilities map; an earlier outage at 36th/106th has been resolved.

INFOLINKS
SDOT Winter Weather Response map (which roads it’s serviced and how recently)
Metro alerts and reroutes
Washington State Ferries alerts
Citywide traffic cams
West Seattle traffic cams
County traffic cams (choose “south” tab for White Center)

Updates as we get them. (westseattleblog@gmail.com or text/call 206-293-6302 – thanks!)

7:01 PM: The West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) says it’s opening late Friday, 9 am.

8:23 PM: No precipitation yet here on the Gatewood/Upper Fauntleroy line (nor on any of the WS traffic cams we’ve checked), but the radar shows it headed this way. Let us know when you see it where you are!

9:55 PM: The NWS’s latest forecast discussion explains the radar: “Widespread light radar echos are spreading across the region this evening. The vast majority of this precipitation is evaporating before reaching the surface due to the cold, dry airmass in place.” But the NWS still expects that to change at some point during the night.

11:29 PM: Some icy precipitation in this video Brendan tweeted:

We’re seeing some on the traffic cameras, too. Meantime, SFD confirmed to us late tonight that two fire-alarm calls in West Seattle earlier today – including one at the QFC/Capco Plaza building in The Junction – were water-related. Overall, SFD spokesperson David Cuerpo tells WSB, “Dating back to Monday, Dec. 19, Seattle Fire has responded to approximately 13 medical emergencies related to the snow and cold weather.”

9:32 PM: We’re now down into the 20s, and even without more snow (yet), ice is a major road danger and we’re getting some reader reports. First, Rosalie Miller – who usually contributes nature photos – has sent a different kind of photo tonight:

That’s both a street report and a reminder that it’s a good night to stay off the streets if you possibly can. Rosalie says she spun out, and as a result …

Our car is stuck perpendicular to the road on Southwest Stevens Street between 37th and 36th Ave Southwest. [map]

Efforts to move the car have been unsuccessful. There are two traffic cones placed on 37th.

I hope that people are not going to try to bypass those and head down Stevens. There is a steep slope and no traction.

I want to make sure that this information is available to anyone driving tonight or tomorrow.

A tow truck will not be able to get out until sometime tomorrow morning at the earliest.

We are trying to locate additional cones to place on the 36th Ave. Southwest / Stevens end of the street.

We have spoken with the police. They do not have any signage for us to use to close the street.

Just as we were about to publish Rosalie’s report, this came in via text:

Forest St. hill to Hiawatha park just across Fairmount Ave SW [map] is completely frozen over. Cars attempting to drive up sliding and stuck. Car currently stuck sideways down Fairmount after sliding backwards on Forest and spinning out before getting stuck.

Let us know if you have one to add to the list.

9:57 PM: Update from Rosalie – “With the assistance of a generous neighbor, we were able to get the car out. The road is still very unsafe. There are no traffic cones.”

6:03 AM: Good morning! It’s Wednesday, December 21st. Winter officially begins with the solstice moment at 1:47 pm.

WEATHER

Very cold today and tomorrow, with even daytime temperatures staying below freezing; some sunshine expected.

TODAY’S TRANSIT STATUS

–Metro is still down buses for repairs and is suspending some routes again today, including West Seattle’s 55, 56, 57, and 125. Keep watching notification channels such as @kcmetroalerts for trip cancellations and route suspensions. Also, here’s the page with rerouting info.

-The West Seattle Water Taxi is on its regular schedule.

-WSF’s Triangle Route remains on its two-boat schedule- check here for alerts/updates.

STREETS & SPOTLIGHT CAMERAS

Here’s the SDOT Winter Weather Response map showing which roads have been recently treated and when, as well as closed roads.

New Delridge cameras: As reported here, three have been added; four more are on the way. Besides the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also up at Delridge/Oregon and Delridge/Orchard.

High Bridge – here’s the camera at the top.

High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way).

Low Bridge: Or nearby, depending on where SDOT points the camera.

1st Ave. S. Bridge: The south route.

Highway 99: Here’s the northbound side at Lander.

All functional city traffic cams can be seen here, most with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are also on this WSB page … Are movable city bridges opening for vessels? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed.

If you see a problem on the roads/paths/water, please text or call us (when you can do so safely) – 206-293-6302.

(We’re updating this story through the noon hour and will switch over to afternoon coverage after that – scroll down for updates)

9:44 AM: Thanks to Debra Salazar Herbst for the tip and photo from Alki – it’s snowing in north West Seattle.

Here’s the “live” image from the California/Admiral traffic cam:

9:59 AM: And now it’s turning to mostly snow here on the Gatewood/Upper Fauntleroy line.

10:19 AM: Metro says all buses are now on snow routing.

10:32 AM: SDOT is out – we’ve heard a plow truck just around our corner, and the SDOT Winter Weather Response map verifies where they’ve been most recently. Reminder if you’re new, they don’t plow side streets – just pre-designated main routes (also outlined on the map, as well as here). Meantime, Caity Gerhardt sent this photo from Highland Park:

Photos always welcome – westseattleblog@gmail.com or text 206-293-6302 – thank you! … Traffic report: 35th/Hudson treacherous, per SPD dispatch saying SFD is asking SDOT for plow attention there.

11:01 AM: Thanks for the photos from Sylvan Way, where things are bollixed right now, with a stuck trash/recycling truck among other problems. The photo above is from Sam, who’s trying to get to her Junction shop Fleurt to open it for the day but is stuck on Sylvan. … Where we are, the snow has stopped for now, so perhaps SDOT will be able to catch up with trouble spots soon.

11:17 AM: Texter reports that “Highland Park hill is super-icy and several cars pulled over, having to turn around. Several cars are stalled on the hill as well.” … Update from Sam on Sylvan Way: “The truck driver stuck in the ditch has been directing traffic. Sylvan Way is down to 1 lane, somewhat passable right now when people drive on the curb,” though it’s still “really backed up.”

11:29 AM: Update from Sam – SDOT sanded Sylvan and pushed the dump truck out – both lanes now open. … Weather update: NWS has now shortened the Winter Weather Advisory to expire at 2 pm, so they’re not expecting much more snow. … Our Highland Park Way tipster says the hill’s just been closed and that a solid-waste truck’s stuck there.

12 PM: Kersti Muul reports a truck vs. pole crash at 47th/Admiral.

12:25 PM: As published separately, SPU has now announced solid-waste pickup is a day delayed this week. Also: Community School of West Seattle is closing and asking families to pick up their kids. In The Junction, Fleurt is now open, and reporting that Menashe & Sons Jewelers and CAPERS also are open, if you can get out to shop safely – shop local! … The traffic camera at the bottom of Highland Park Way hill shows it’s at least partly reopened.

===========

Earlier:

6:02 AM: Good morning! It’s Tuesday, December 20th. The weather alert was downgraded overnight to a Winter Weather Advisory – not so snowy after all, at least in Seattle.

WEATHER

Today’s forecast as a result: Rain/snow mix more likely than outright snow, high in the upper 30s.

TODAY’S TRANSIT STATUS

–Metro is still down buses for repairs and is suspending some routes again today, but as was the case Monday, no West Seattle routes were on the initial list. Keep watching notification channels such as @kcmetroalerts for trip cancellations and route suspensions. (Also, no snow routing anywhere in the county. 10 AM UPDATE: Some reroutes in all areas – follow that same link to see if your bus is affected.)

-The West Seattle Water Taxi is on its regular schedule.

-WSF’s Triangle Route remains on its two-boat schedule- check here for alerts/updates.

STREETS & SPOTLIGHT CAMERAS

(Just for reference, here’s the SDOT Winter Weather Response map – nothing going on this past hour.)

New Delridge cameras: As reported here, three have been added; four more are on the way. Besides the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also up at Delridge/Oregon and Delridge/Orchard.

High Bridge – here’s the camera at the top.

High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way).

Low Bridge: Or nearby, depending on where SDOT points the camera.

1st Ave. S. Bridge: The south route.

Highway 99: Here’s the northbound side at Lander.

All functional city traffic cams can be seen here, most with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are also on this WSB page … Are movable city bridges opening for vessels? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed.

If you see a problem on the roads/paths/water, please text or call us (when you can do so safely) – 206-293-6302.