SEATTLE -- A widespread snowstorm walloped western Washington today, with the heaviest blow missing Seattle and hitting the Olympia area, causing accidents, closing schools and canceling flights at Sea-Tac Airport.
Alaska Airlines announced late Tuesday that it canceled 38 flights into and out of Seattle and Portland, Ore. The Seattle Times reported that nine more flights were canceled this morning, and more could be canceled through the day.
The airline urged customers to check the airline website before leaving for the airport.
The airline waived rebooking fees for passengers traveling Tuesday through Thursday in those cities. Spokeswoman Bobbie Egan says tickets must be exchanged and travel completed by Jan. 22.
There were 95 accidents in an eight-hour period in Pierce and Thurston counties, which include Tacoma and Olympia, State Trooper Guy Gill said Wednesday morning. Most were spinouts."You need to pick a rut and stay in it. If you get off the beaten path, you're in deep trouble," Gill said. "I saw a guy in my rear mirror - I saw headlights and tail lights and headlights and tail lights again as he spun around off the road."
"For the first time in my career I had to put chains on," Gill said. "You stay in the path laid down on the freeway. You get off that, you are in trouble."
Olympia had about a foot of new snow on the ground by 7:30 a.m. The city could break its record of 14 inches of snow in a 24-hour period, said Brad Colman, meteorologist in charge of the National Weather Service office in Seattle. Areas south of Olympia could get 20 inches.
"They're getting hammered," Colman said.
Tacoma had about 7 inches of snow for the morning rush hour. Seattle had compact snow and ice on roads for commuters. Lesser amounts were reported north of Seattle.
Southeast Washington also is getting a good shot of snow with 6 to 10 inches expected in the Palouse, said meteorologist Colby Neuman at the Weather Service office, where only 2 to 4 inches were expected.
"This will be right up with the most snow this season," Neuman said. "This has been an un-snowy winter."
Heavy snow has been falling in Washington's mountains with up to 2 feet of fresh snow expected by Thursday. Interstate 90 across Snoqualmie Pass was shut down for much of Tuesday for avalanche control work.
Washington residents had plenty of warning as snow showers started over the weekend. With the big blow in sight, Seattle and other school districts canceled classes in advance.
Western Oregon woke up to rain and slush instead of significant snow accumulations on Wednesday, but a storm that moved in overnight left thousands without power.
The winter weather brought 2 to 4 inches of snow to the region overnight, but temperatures warmed and it changed to rain, leaving a slushy mix on roads and trees.
Portland General Electric said about 30,000 of its customers were without power early Wednesday, and the utility was working to restore service to them.
Forecasters had backed off earlier projections that significant snow accumulation was possible in Portland. But it's too soon to give the all-clear as the storm moves through Oregon.
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