Live weather updates: Thursday’s latest on snow, cold & traffic in Tacoma/Pierce County
By The News Tribune
Kara Childs, 11, tosses snow in the air as she plays in ther front yard in DuPont, Washington, on Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021.
Tony Overman
toverman@theolympian.com
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Snow Days 2021
The frigid cold that gripped Western Washington and dumped several inches of snow in the city is expected to stick around.
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Here is a roundup of the latest news and information regarding the aftermath of Sunday’s snowstorm and lingering frigid temperatures in the Tacoma/Pierce County area.
More headaches at Sea-Tac Airport
Another round of snow and continued pandemic-induced staffing problems made Seattle-Tacoma International Airport the airport with more canceled flights than any other airport on the planet for the second straight day, the Seattle Times reported.
As of 10 a.m. Thursday, airlines had canceled 289 arrivals and departures at Sea-Tac Airport — more than a quarter of all of Thursday’s scheduled flights — according to the website FlightAware.com. The cancellations, which scrapped 148 departures and 141 arrivals, bring Sea-Tac’s cancellation total to more than 1,450 since Sunday, according to the flight tracking site.
The city of Tacoma said Thursday afternoon it would keep the temporary warming center at the Lighthouse Activity Center open through Jan. 7 due to forecasts showing continued cold weather.
The center, located at 5016 A Street, will transition to a temporary emergency shelter on Jan. 7 and will continue as such through March 31, according to a news release from the city. Since opening as a warming center, the facility has served 50 people.
Once it transitions to a temporary emergency shelter, it will be operated by Valeo Vocation, an employment agency in Tacoma.
Forecast for weekend looks warmer
Snow was falling across Pierce and Thurston counties Thursday, but some areas were beginning to see rain. Either way, we should see less precipitation as the day progresses.
“They’re gradually going to taper off throughout the afternoon,” said Mary Butwin, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Seattle. “But it wouldn’t be surprising if local spots got another half inch (of snow) through the day.”
Hilarie Hauptman snowshoes up Vista Place on Tumwater HIll in Tumwater, Washington, on Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021. Tony Overman toverman@theolympian.com
While temperatures were at or just above freezing Thursday morning, they were expected to drop below freezing again into Friday morning. Expect lows in the mid-20s.
“Even with treated roads, they can refreeze,” Butwin said.
Friday’s weather will be a repeat of Thursday’s, temperature wise. “But it will be dry,” she said.
Leigha Enslow makes the trek up 12th Avenue to her apartment after walking to the store at the bottom of Tumwater Hill in Tumwater, Washington, on Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021. Tony Overman toverman@theolympian.com
Tacoma and Olympia residents might see some sun Friday — just not enough to melt much snow thanks to cold winds coming from the north.
The weekend will see a return to seasonally normal weather after record lows this week, Butwin said.
Saturday’s highs will be in the upper 30s. Highs will be in the 40s on Sunday for Pierce and Thurston counties.
Pierce County road conditions and closures
Pierce County received between half an inch to an inch and a half of snow by 5 a.m. Pierce County crews applied salt of sand to all primary roads, but commutes may still be challenging.
At about 11 a.m., a jackknifed semi-truck on northbound Interstate 5 fully blocked the ramp to Interstate 705, Tacoma City Center. Washington State Patrol troopers were on the scene and advised drivers to take alternate routes.
Snoqualmie Pass on Interstate 90 reopened at about 12:45 p.m. after being closed in both directions from North Bend to Ellensburg for about eight hours. Blowing snow was creating near-zero visibility on the mountain pass for much of the morning.
Park closures Thursday
Metro Parks Tacoma announced that all park facilities would be closed Thursday, although the parks remain open to pedestrians.
The park district advised people to be cautious at parks during and after the storm. Tree branches may be weighed down by snow and ice and could break off. Park-goers were also advised to be cautious around buildings that may have accumulated snow and ice on roofs.
Northwest Trek Wildlife Park: Closed
Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium: Closed
Zoolights: Closed
Community Centers: All centers closed
Fort Nisqually: Closed
Five Mile Drive: Closed
Park restrooms and gates: Closed
Tacoma Nature Center: Closed
Point Defiance Marina: Closed
Meadow Park Golf Course: Closed
Headquarters: Closed
Several Pierce County parks were also closed Thursday due to the weather. Spanaway Park, Sprinker Campus, Bresemann Forest, Chambers Creek and the Lake Spanaway Golf Course are closed. The Sprinker Recreation Center building is open for normal operations.
Pierce County Library Systems closes Thursday
The Pierce County Library System announced Thursday morning it would be closed because of the snowstorm.
“Please enjoy the Library’s online services, which are always, open at www.piercecountylibrary.org, featuring online e-books, audiobooks, videos and magazines as well as other services and resources,” the system said in a news release. “For people who have books, movies or other items on hold, the Library System has extended all holds for a week.”
All Tacoma Public Library branches were also closed Thursday due to the weather. The Moore, South Tacoma, Swasey and Wheelock branches were expected to be open Friday from noon to 4 p.m. Any changes will be posted to the library’s website.
Expect more snow Thursday
Your Thursday morning commute might start cold and clear and end with blowing snow.
“It might be best not to be on the roads tomorrow,” National Weather Service meteorologist Matthew Cullen said Wednesday.
Wind gusts could reach 20-25 miles per hour, he said.
“It seems we’ve been stuck in this pattern of cold air with bits of moisture,” Cullen said.
The snow will arrive from the north sometime after 4 a.m. Thursday and continue into the afternoon. Just where and when across Pierce County was still unknown Wednesday afternoon, he said.
Pierce County should expect 1-3 inches.
High temperatures will top out just above freezing Thursday. Overnight into Friday, lows will reach 24 degrees, Cullen said.
Friday’s high will be 32 degrees.
Don’t get out your summer wear just yet, but this weekend will be decidedly warmer. The high on Saturday could reach 40 in Tacoma, Cullen said. That means that rain, rather than snow, will finally begin falling.
Highs will reach into the 40s again on Sunday.
Until roads are clear, drivers should expect slippery compact snow, black ice and other treacherous driving conditions at any time.
From Wednesday:
Status of parks facilities Wednesday
Some Metro Parks Tacoma park facilities remained closed Wednesday after heavy snowfall blanketed the region over the weekend and ongoing low temperatures continue. Here are announced hours for community centers and other facilities:
People’s Center: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Center at Norpoint: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Eastside Community Center: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
STAR Center: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Fort Nisqually: Closed
Headquarters: Open until 3:30 p.m.
Meadow Park Golf Course: Closed
Northwest Trek Wildlife Park: Closed
Point Defiance Marina: Closed
Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium: Closed
Zoolights: Closed
Tacoma Nature Center: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Five Mile Drive: Closed
Pierce County reports that Spanaway Park, Sprinker Campus, Bresemann and Lake Spanaway Golf Course are closed. Fantasy Lights also will be closed. Sprinker Recreation Center is open for normal operations.
Garbage pickup
In Tacoma, the city said aside from residents in northeast Tacoma, residential and commercial garbage collections were expected to take place as scheduled Wednesday. The city said if bins weren’t picked up, residents should leave them out and crews would return to collect them as soon as it was safe. Bins in northeast Tacoma won’t be picked up Wednesday. They will be picked up as soon as conditions allow safe pick up.
In Puyallup, city contractor D.M. Disposal said all residential routes were canceled Wednesday. It advised residents to double up on garbage Jan. 5. Recycling and yard waste is expected to be picked up Jan. 12
Sumner trash pickup was canceled for Wednesday. Garbage will be picked up Jan. 4. Recycling or yard waste will be picked up Jan. 11.
Lakewood contractor LeMay Pierce County Refuse also said trash pickup was canceled Wednesday for all residential routes.
From Tuesday:
Record temps
Snow and long-held records for low temperatures fell across Washington Monday and Tuesday morning.
Sea-Tac Airport set a record of 17 degrees, breaking a previous record of 20 set in 1968.
Across the state, Hoquiam broke its 1978 25-degree record with a new record of 21. Bellingham tied its 1968 record of 7 degrees.
In Tacoma, about 1 inch of snow fell in the last 24 hours ending at noon.
Jesse Lewis gives ride to his daughter, Elise, 7, as they walk through the snow in DuPont, Washington, on Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021. Tony Overman toverman@theolympian.com
Forecast calls for cold
The fingertips of arctic air flowing down through British Columbia’s Fraser Valley will continue to tickle Pierce County with snow Tuesday night. Another half inch could fall by Wednesday morning.
Wednesday will dawn sunny and cold with temperatures about the same as Tuesday. Expect highs in the upper 20s, maybe 30 degrees.
On Thursday, another storm arrives but this one is going to be a little warmer, Kovacik said. Thursday’s highs could reach into the upper 30s. Don’t place any bets on whether Pierce and Thurston counties will see snow or rain.
But, if it does get warm enough for snow to melt it won’t stay that way for long.
“Anything that does melt will probably refreeze Thursday night as temperatures drop down into the low to mid 20s,” Kovacik said.
The real relief from the cold snap comes this weekend with a storm coming in from the ocean. Highs will continue to climb into the 40s Saturday and into Sunday, she said.
A crow grabs a bite to eat while foraging through the snow in Tacoma, Washington, on Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021. Tony Overman toverman@theolympian.com
Garbage pickup
Garbage pick up across the region was delayed as municipalities struggled with icy roads and snow-blocked alleyways.
Tacoma did not collect residential garbage on Monday and said pickup will resume when it’s safe for crews to work. It urged residents to leave containers in their usual pickup spots until crews can eventually empty them. Food and yard waste collection has been canceled this week and will be picked up on the next scheduled collection day.
In Puyallup, city contractor D.M. Disposal said collection had been canceled for Tuesday. It said customers will have to double up for their next pickup and gave instructions on its website.
Lakewood contractor LeMay Pierce County Refuse also said collection on Tuesday had been canceled and customers will need to double up next week.
The Coooper family (from left), Minerva the dog, Pardaig, Gareth, Liam and Moira walk home after sledding in the snow in DuPont, Washington, on Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021. Tony Overman toverman@theolympian.com
Sea-Tac delays and cancellations
Sea-Tac Airport was operating in normal cold weather conditions as crews de-iced runways and airplanes.
Weather combined with staffing issues led to cancellations and delays of hundreds of flights across the nation Monday and Tuesday morning.
According to flight tracking website Flight Aware, there were 198 canceled flights and 208 delayed flights at Sea-Tac Tuesday morning. The site’s Misery Map showed Sea-Tac to be just below Chicago O’Hare as the most impacted airport in the U.S.
“The airlines are working hard to play catch up with rebooking passengers and reuniting folks with their luggage,” said Sea-Tac spokesperson Kate Hudson.
An estimated 139,000 people were expected to travel through Sea-Tac on Monday. More than 900,000 are expected between Dec. 26 and Jan. 1.
Ian Childs, 9, fires a snowball at his sister as they play in their front yard in DuPont, Washington, on Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021. Tony Overman toverman@theolympian.com
Status of Metro Parks Tacoma facilities Tuesday
Park facilities in Tacoma remained closed Tuesday after heavy snowfall blanketed the region over the weekend and ongoing low temperatures continue.
Metro Parks Tacoma said that the following facilities would be closed Tuesday:
People’s Community Center
Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium (both daytime and Zoolights hours)
Northwest Trek Wildlife Park
Point Defiance Marina
Tacoma Nature Center
Fort Nisqually
Meadow Park Golf Course
W.W. Seymour Conservatory (closed for ongoing renovations)
Facilities open normal hours Tuesday:
STAR and Eastside Community Centers
Metro Parks Tacoma headquarters, pending parking lot clearance
The frigid cold that gripped Western Washington and dumped several inches of snow in the city is expected to stick around.
“Dangerously cold temperatures” will linger through Wednesday with highs in the 20s and lows dipping to 15 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.
A record low of 20 degrees was set at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport Sunday. The previous record was 22 degrees in 1948.
In Tacoma, forecasters said Monday will be mostly cloudy with a high near 26. There’s a chance of snow throughout the week but it’s unclear how much will fall if snow returns.
About 2-3 inches of snow fell overnight Sunday in the Tacoma area, 1-3 inches came down in Olympia and 2-4 inches of snow fell in King County, the Weather Service said.
Metro Parks Tacoma said all facilities will remain closed Monday, including the gates to Five Mile Drive, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, Northwest Trek Wildlife Park and Meadow Park Golf Course.
The Cheney Stadium COVID-19 testing station and Bonney Lake Park and Ride closed Monday due to “adverse weather conditions,” Pierce County tweeted.
Also closed are Chambers Creek Regional Park and the outdoor areas at Sprinker Recreation Center in Spanaway.
Crews are working to treat the roads so Fantasy Lights, the county’s holiday lights display, can still open at 5 p.m.
County officials and the Washington State Department of Transportation warned that there is compact snow and ice on the roads and advised drivers to go slow.
A Pierce Transit bus drives north of Pacific Avenue on Monday afternoon. Pierce Transit is providing free bus rides to those heading to shelters and warming centers during the cold temperatures and snow. Pete Caster pcaster@thenewstribune.com
Free bus rides to warming centers
Pierce Transit announced Sunday it would be providing free rides for passengers traveling to warming centers and homeless shelters during the cold temperatures.
The free rides to warming centers and shelters will be offered through Dec. 30 and could be extended if the cold weather continues, spokesperson Rebecca Japhet said in a news release.
Free round trips are available throughout the day. Passengers should tell the bus driver they are traveling to or from a warming center or homeless shelter to be excused from the fare.
People line up in their vehicles at a COVID-19 testing site run by Pierce County on 3003 107th Street South in Lakewood on Monday afternoon. Pete Caster pcaster@thenewstribune.com
COVID testing affected
The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department closed its COVID-19 testing sites Monday following the weekend snowstorm and below-freezing temperatures that have put Western Washington on ice.
Other testing sights remain open. Many of those are pharmacies.
“Right now, we’re assuming that all the pharmacies, if they are still open, are doing testing,” said TPCHD spokesman Kenny Via.
He urged anyone in need of testing for the disease caused by the coronavirus to first look for locations on TPCHD’s website and then call ahead. The website also lists whether testing sites are walk-in or drive-thru, if rapid tests are available and if appointments are necessary.
Open on Monday is a site run by Pierce County Emergency Management. The location at 3003 107th St. S. in Lakewood is drive-thru style. No appointment is necessary.
A man cleans the snow off his car parked along an unplowed Ainsworth Avenue while another vehicle drives along Ninth Street in the Hilltop neighborhood in Tacoma on Monday afternoon. Pete Caster pcaster@thenewstribune.com
Plowing priorities in Tacoma
Crews in Tacoma were working Monday to clear city streets after snow blanketed the region over the weekend.
As cold temperatures will linger for the next few days, the snow isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
If you’re waiting for the road outside your home to be cleared, you might be waiting a while.
City crews plow and de-ice streets on a priority level, beginning with roads most traveled, or “primary arterial streets,” and clear one lane in each direction. The city’s Street Operations division maintains 410 miles of main arterial streets, including North Pearl, Sixth Avenue, Pacific Avenue, South Tacoma Way and most streets downtown.
Crews then move to secondary routes, like South 12th Street and South Cedar Street, and then auxiliary routes like North 11th Street and Port of Tacoma Road.
City crews do not have the time and manpower to clear residential streets, according to staff.
As local plumbers race to fix cracked pipes from the cold weather across the Western Washington region, they’re also sharing tips for how to prevent damage.
“Dangerously cold temperatures” will linger through Wednesday with highs in the 20s and lows dipping to 15 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.
Reached by phone Monday, spokespeople from local businesses, including Beacon Plumbing and Hunt’s Services, told The News Tribune their crews were dealing with emergency plumbing issues that surfaced because of the cold, often from pipes freezing and then bursting or cracking.
Idriana Velez, office manager with All Purpose Plumbing in Tacoma, said she’s been doing her best to share tips via phone for people trying to protect their homes against the cold.
Velez suggested having the cold water drip from faucets to prevent pipes from freezing.
“Another thing is opening all the cabinets beneath the sinks to let the heat from the house reach them,” she said.
Velez also suggested covering crawl space entrances for homes that have them to prevent cold outside air from freezing pipes inside.
